“TEACHER OF THE YEAR” RESIGNS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) – Alabama’s reigning Teacher of the Year has submitted a letter of resignation after being informed she was unqualified to teach the fifth grade.

In the letter, Ann Marie Corgill says she resigned in confusion about her certification after Birmingham and Alabama Department of Education officials recently said she was not qualified. Corgill said she had been teaching in grades 1-6 for 21 years.

Corgill says she started this school year at Oliver Elementary School teaching second grade, but was moved to a fifth-grade classroom shortly after the semester began.

The Alabama Department of Education says Corgill has Class A and B certifications to teach primary school through third grade students.

Birmingham City Schools spokeswoman Chandra Temple said Thursday the district is working on the matter and had no further comment.