TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Juan Torres is a top-notch educator by day at Huntsville Intermediate School and a professional boxer by night . He was recently voted by community members as the 2021 Teacher of the Year .
BUILDING YOUNG CHAMPIONS Professional boxer and educator voted 2021 Teacher of the Year
STORY & PHOTOS BY MICHELLE WULFSON
When he ’ s not boxing for national titles on ESPN , Huntsville Intermediate School behavior support teacher Juan Torres is helping his at-risk fifth and sixth grade students find their place in the world as they cross into their first stages of growing up .
Working with kids who are struggling at home , are emotionally disturbed or have more on their plates than general education students , it ’ s not a job that suits everyone , but it ’ s one that holds a special place in his heart . Through intervention plans he lays out for educators , Torres is able to catch his behaviored students before they slip through the cracks and sets them on the right path for success through the remainder of their education .
In just his two years of experience , Torres ’ work has been life-changing for families in the community and has rightfully earned him the votes to win the 2021 Walker County Teacher of the Year .
“ There ’ s a lot of people that don ’ t like ( behavior support ) or they quit , I think I ’ m drawn to it mostly because growing up , to a certain extent , I was a behaviored kid ,” Torres said . “ I had both of my parents raise me , but I ’ d still end up on the streets or doing what I wasn ’ t supposed to all of the time , so I can relate to that . If anybody knows anything about me , it ’ s that I want to help kids get out of that , I don ’ t want to see kids in the streets or doing things that they ’ re not supposed to .”
28 | HUNTSVILLE LIVING | JULY-AUGUST 2021