NLU Alumna Named 2026 Teacher of the Year at Athens Intermediate School
National Louis University proudly congratulates alumna Abigail Archer, M.Ed. ’23, on being named the 2026 Teacher of the Year at Athens Intermediate School in Alabama.
The recognition highlights Archer’s dedication to student success, her passion for language education, and her commitment to creating meaningful learning experiences for English Learners.
Archer, who earned her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in English as a Second Language and Bilingual Education from National Louis University in 2023, currently teaches fourth and fifth grade English Learners at Athens Intermediate School. She was selected by her peers for the honor, which is awarded through the Alabama Teacher of the Year Program and recognizes excellence in education at the school, district, and state levels.
For Archer, teaching is more than a profession. It is a calling that began in childhood.
"I wanted to become a teacher since I was in the third grade," Archer said in a recent Teacher of the Year profile. "I enjoyed working with children and creating relationships with them. I wanted to inspire and encourage children as my own teachers did for me."
Over her 14-year career in education, Archer has become known for building strong connections with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. At Athens Intermediate School, she works with multiple groups of English Learners throughout the day, helping them develop language skills while also building confidence and embracing their cultural identities.
She describes the classroom as a place where relationships come first.
"My advice for new teachers is to prioritize building relationships with your students," Archer said. "Become a safe space for them. If you take the time to do these things, students will respect you more, participate more, gain self-confidence, and want to experience success in their own learning."
Archer credits much of her success to the support of her family, colleagues, and school community. She also expressed deep gratitude for the recognition.
"I feel honored to be chosen as the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Athens Intermediate School," Archer said. "This school has become a second home to me. This is the place where I really found my calling and passion in teaching."
Her work aligns closely with the mission of National Louis University's education programs, which prepare educators to meet the needs of diverse learners through culturally responsive teaching, evidence-based instruction, and a commitment to student achievement.
As an English Learner teacher, Archer says some of her most rewarding moments come when students make connections between languages and discover confidence in their abilities.
"I love watching students not just grow in their language skills, but also in their self-confidence and cultural identities," she said.
National Louis University celebrates Abigail Archer's achievement and the impact she continues to make in the lives of her students. Her recognition as Teacher of the Year serves as a testament to the power of dedicated educators who inspire learning, foster belonging, and help students realize their full potential.
Congratulations, Abigail, on this well-deserved honor.
