Dr. Jerome Ward believes teaching high school English isn’t just a job.

“I believe it’s my calling to teach high school students,” Ward said.

Ward, who obtained his doctorate in 2012, was named the Hartselle City Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year.

The 1994 alumnus was the first to complete college in his family. This is the second time he has taught with his alma mater.

He taught at Wallace State Community College for a couple of years before coming home after Jeff Hyche became principal at Hartselle High.

One of the keys to Ward’s success has been his ability to adjust to his classes’ strengths and weaknesses.

“You have to tailor each class based on the students that you have,” Ward said. “For instance, I pulled out “A Street Car Named Desire” for the first time in a few years. I felt like I had a group of students that could understand that play. Not every class is like that, but we have an outstanding group of students right now.

“We have an outstanding group of students at Hartselle High School. They’re intelligent and very talented.”

Ward will receive $250 to use in his classroom, along with a professional development day to help him complete paperwork to enter the District 8 competition, which includes Morgan, Marshall, Cullman and Blount counties.