Although many educators claim teaching is in their blood, few mean it literally. But, Amanda Durden, Bradwell Institute chorus and music teacher and Liberty County School System’s 2010-11 teacher of the year, said her talent really does come from her parents, both of whom were teachers for many decades.
Covering elementary, middle and high schools, Durden has worked in the county for
26 years, 17 of them at Brad-well.
She said she simply can’t imagine doing anything else.  
At a reception on Tuesday night, as Liberty County educators gathered to celebrate outstanding teachers from all of the system’s schools, Durden received the overall teacher of the year award.
“I am very overwhelmed and very honored, truly,” Durden said after she recovered from the shock of hearing her name called. Her parents, who said they didn’t know Durden would win the award, traveled to Liberty County from Madison and were at her side when Superintendent Dr. Judy Scherer announced the winner.
“We’re so proud of her,” her father, W.H. Ashburn, said.
In addition to her parents, Durden credits her success to the school system, which she said understands the importance of music, her specialty.
“I feel like fine arts are very important in the lives of children and I’m just very thankful to liberty County for funding it,” she said. “They’ve always made it a priority and a lot of counties can‘t say that.”
Scherer spoke briefly about Durden and her impact on students.
“Since the first time I met Amanda Durden, I saw how her love and passion for teaching and for her students stood out,” Scherer said.
Each school selects a teacher of the year based on peer nominations. One nominee is then selected as the system’s overall teacher of the year
Scherer said she’s proud of all the teachers.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be nominated by your peers, represent your school and represent your profession,” she said.