Jefferson’s is pleased to announce that Eddie Stevenson and Rachael Butler have been named, respectively, Jefferson’s Gadsden Teacher of the Year and Jefferson’s Rainbow City Teacher of the Year! Mr. Stevenson teaches math and computer science at Springville High School, and Mrs. Butler teaches K-5 SPED at Oscar Adams Elementary School.
Mr. Stevenson and Mrs. Butler were chosen from a highly competitive pool of nominations submitted by students and community members. The contest, launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 5, aims to recognize one of the area’s many deserving educators. Jefferson’s selected Mr. Stevenson and Mrs. Butler as Teachers of the Year for the consistency with which they’ve poured their care, knowledge, and energy into their students’ lives.
“Mr. Stevenson’s nominators spoke of how he both challenges his students and makes them laugh,” said Jefferson’s president Brandon Graham. “He’s playful, but imparts accountability—and his students know how much he cares for them. Mrs. Butler’s nominators spoke of her big heart. She individualizes lessons and skills for each of her students, and never fails to celebrate their accomplishments. It’s obvious that her students feel her kindness in the personalized gifts she gives them and the Friday night dinners she shares with them. These educators embody everything our communities value in their teachers and leaders, and we’re honored to recognize them for their dedication to their communities.”
Each teacher will receive a $500 gift card to Jefferson’s, and their achievement will be commemorated on a “Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year” plaque for all restaurant patrons to see.
“Everyone might not understand every lesson,” Stevenson said in a statement, “but by developing good relationships with your students, you can help them reach their greatest potential. My hope is that my students see my genuine concern for them to succeed.”
“My goal with teaching has always been to make a difference,” Butler said. “I have been so proud being able to watch my students make progress not only academically, but also functionally.”
Last year was the launch of the Teacher of the Year program, with Ashlyn Cagle of Glencoe Elementary and Dr. Allison Heald of Southside High selected as 2025 Teachers of the Year.
This year is the sophomore run for the Jefferson’s Teacher of the Year award, launched as a companion program to Jefferson’s Coach of the Year award, which runs in the fall. The teachers’ initiative is open to teachers working with students of any age, and candidates could be nominated by students, parents and guardians of students, school officials, or other community members.