Favorite Teacher 1955
In the 1950s, the Birmingham Post-Herald sponsored an annual "Favorite Teacher" contest. The chosen one was honored in a big way at the A.E.A. (Alabama Education Association) convention and was awarded a variety of favors and gifts from Birmingham merchants.

In 1955, Mineral Springs School took the honors when Miss Kate Bonino was named Favorite Teacher after twice being runner-up.

The photos in this section show Miss Kate enjoying the fruits of her award--an award made possible by her multitude of loving and dedicated students.

                     (All photos and info in this section courtesy of Joyce Fields Blankenship)
Click a small image to see a larger one
Fifth-grader Jimmy Burton shows the good-luck charm that he lent Miss Kate  to help her win the Favorite Teacher title (Newspaper photo)
Miss Kate demonstrates some of the personality and the teaching skills that endeared her to her pupils. In this photo she helps fourth-graders Jimmy Elliot (left) and Jack Fields with their long division.
Miss Kate soothes her tired feet after a long day of shopping at some of Birmingham's finer department stores.
The 1955 Favorite Teacher was honored with a luncheon at The Club atop Red Mountain. (While the other attendees smile for the camera, Miss Kate is deciding what to have for lunch.) Seated at Miss Kate's left is Mineral Principal James R. Welch.
Miss Kate's pupils were instrumental in getting her named Favorite Teacher for 1955. This letter to the judges, from Freddie Sorensen, is just one of the hundreds that were written and submitted in her behalf.
Mineral Springs School
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