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Former J.E. Terry Elementary School teacher Mallory Lovell was chosen as The Selma Times-Journal Amazing Teacher of the Year for the 2021-22 school year.

Nominations for the honor were open all year and made through the Times-Journal’s website on the Contest page.

Lovell received the honor, which included a certificate, a vase of assorted flowers, a gift cards worth $400 and a Golden Apple, on Wednesday during a brief ceremony conducted by Times-Journal Advertising Director Tina Yelverton. Times-Journal Marketing Consultant Bill Tomey presented the bounty of gifts to Lovell.

“It was really a big surprise,” Lovell said. “I had no idea I had that much support from the community, and it’s just a really big, special treat. I’m very proud and excited to have this award.”

A 2010 graduate of Faulker University, Lovell began her teaching career at Shiloh Elementary School in Sardis before taking a job at J.E. Terry, located in Plantersville. She will teach at Meadowview Elementary School for the 2022-23 school year.

“I love teaching,” Lovell said. “It’s the best profession to me. I think it’s a very rewarding job, and I’ve learned so many things just by being with my students and my colleagues each day.”

Lovell said her favorite part of the past school year was being able to resume teaching in a traditional classroom setting.

“With COVID, we weren’t able to be in school the whole year,” she said. “This year, we were able to be there the whole year, and that meant so much just for me to be there with the kids and not have any extra things get in the way. We were able to be on campus every day and be together, and that meant a lot.”

The honor, sponsored by Randall Miller Funeral Service and Crematory, will be presented each summer to a deserving teacher nominated for the award by students, colleagues and community members.