By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

Catherine Mohon, Creek View Elementary Teacher of the Year, is one busy woman. A member of First Baptist Church, volunteer coach with Alabaster Park and Rec, running and walking for a cause, hiking, camping, summer basketball camps and taking care of her husband and their three children are a few of her many activities. Jake, a 16-year-old sophomore at THS, is active in basketball.

Hunter, age 13, is a seventh grader at TMS and also is into basketball, and Abby, age 7, is in second grade at Creek View and is involved in soccer, travel softball, gymnastics and piano.

Mohon says her mother was the greatest influence in her life.

“She taught me to be compassionate and to always follow my dreams,” she said. “I learn from her each day the value of love and family. My grandparents taught me the value of nature through hiking and searching for tadpoles and fossils.”

One of Mohon’s fondest memories is of her basketball team winning the Tennessee State Tournament while she was a junior at Cannon County High.

That led her to a basketball scholarship at the University of Montevallo.

Her college coach, Gary Van Atta, helped her develop an interest in education as a career through physical activity and sports.

“I want to follow his example of faith, family, hard work, love and teamwork,” she said. “He has given me the opportunity to make a difference in others’ lives as he made in mine.”

Mohon taught at West Blocton Elementary for eight years and is starting her 10th year at Creek View.

“Physical education is a dream job for me,” she said. “With our culture being so heavily influenced by the iPhone, the Xbox and the Internet, my greatest contribution has been to teach children the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the joy of sports and physical activity.”

Mohon says, “Working at Creek View is a blessing. Staff, teachers, parents, students and administration along with the City of Alabaster work together to provide a supportive, caring and positive environment for our children. I am honored to be chosen as Teacher of the Year at Creek View Elementary School.”