My time as the Alexander City Outlook beat reporter has come to an end.
Now, I’m taking on a new endeavor. In the upcoming school year, I will be the 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts teacher at Central Coosa High School.
I know what you’re thinking — why on Earth would I go into teaching?
Well, if you remember one of my previous columns, I discussed teaching being one of my career choices when I was in college. But looking back, teaching has always been a passion of mine.
When reviewing some of my elementary school yearbooks, I remember my teachers going around the classroom and asking each student what they wanted to be when they grew up. Well, under my name in my yearbooks, “Teacher” always sat under it.
School was always a safe haven for me. I always enjoyed spending time with my friends while also expanding my knowledge. Now, I feel like it’s been laid on my heart to pursue this endeavor after taking on this role as a reporter for the last two years.
Over the last two years, I’ve spent much of my time learning the ins and outs of this community — from covering issues with local city government to meeting with families during some of the hardest, or best, times of their lives, I’ve gotten a solid understanding of this community. In everything I’ve done, I’ve learned one thing — the people in this community will go above and beyond for each other.
The overwhelming support from one another in this community has translated into great success for this city and now, I feel like I can translate that into my future students.
Knowing you have people to rely on and people who will support you brings confidence to pursue your biggest dreams, and now I cannot wait to bring that support to the students of Coosa County.
Although my beat has always been Alexander City and the Alexander City Schools system, I’ve covered tons of stuff going on at Central Coosa High School as well. From graduations to amazing achievements at the school’s career technical center, I knew from the start that Central High School was a hidden gem tucked away in Coosa County.
One of the first things I covered at Central was the Class of 2024 graduation. Being unfamiliar with the school and community, I was reluctant to get onto the field to take photos. However, it wasn’t until superintendent Dave Stover approached me, pulled up a chair and told me to sit with the administration and teachers on the field that I realized Coosa was a special place.
Since then, I have worked closely with career technical education and workforce development director Hester Hamby, highlighting all of the achievements and hard work that goes on in the Central Coosa Career Technical Center, I’ve covered achievements of students doing great things to further their education after high school and ultimately, I’ve gotten to learn a lot more about the school. It’s a lot more than just a small rural school in Coosa County. It’s a lucky find.
From generations of students whose parents and grandparents attended the school, to teachers who have traveled the world and ultimately decided that Central High School is the place they wanted to be, Coosa is a hidden gem loved by many. I am so blessed to have this opportunity to join the Cougar family next year.
With that being said, I may not be the Alexander City reporter anymore, but I will not be far. You may still see me at Walmart, or browsing Marshall’s (if you do, tell me I don’t need to buy anything) or just around town. Nonetheless, I will take all of the lessons I learned from not only this position, but this community, into my next career endeavor.
The Outlook will remain in good hands; Gwen Bishop will become your next familiar face as she takes on the important responsibilities of sharing local news. Also, as long as Lizi Gwin is the managing editor, all of Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.’s papers will be in good hands.
So instead of this being a “Goodbye,” consider it more of a “See you later.” I want to thank everyone who has worked diligently with me and remained patient with me despite my repetitive calls, follow-up questions and everything else. Your willingness to help did not go unnoticed.
I cannot wait to share my life experiences with my new students. I may not respond to “Melody with the Outlook” anymore, but I look forward to being called “Ms. Rathel” from here on out.
Melody Rathel is a multimedia reporter for Tallapoosa Publishers Inc.
