Mrs. Katy Souder is an elementary teacher at Riverton Elementary in Huntsville, Alabama. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a specialization in Language and Culture from The University of Alabama in Huntsville. Additionally, she holds a Master of Education in differentiated instruction and a certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language.

She has been recognized as the Madison County Soil and Water Conservation District Teacher of the Year, as well as the North Alabama Area 1 Associations of Soil and Water Conservation Outstanding Educator. She has also been named Alabama Teacher of The Year for the National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Mrs. Souder is active in her school’s “Green Team”, the goal of which is to educate students of all elementary ages in natural and earth sciences and she loves the notion of teaching her students to “get dirty”.

She structures her teaching style on “teachable moments” and enjoys taking advantage of student- driven educational tangents. She believes some of the most fruitful and memorable educational experiences are born of student curiosity and that a great educator can use these opportunities for unconventional learning experiences.

She passionately believes that planting the seeds of curiosity at a young age can lead to a life of exploration and interest in the sciences. It is her greatest aspiration that through all she teaches, she possesses the power to create lifelong learners and students who develop a deep love for intellectual growth.