ROSINTON, Ala. — “Hard work breeds success”.

This saying has become a reality for Debbie Lanicek, Rosinton Elementary School’s newly named “Teacher of the Year.”

After being a teacher’s aide for nine years at Rosinton and doing everything from working in the classroom and lunchroom to helping out with P.E. and the office, Lanicek decided to make teaching her full-time profession.

Going back to school and earning her B.S. degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Alabama in 1995, this Robertsdale native began teaching fifth grade and now teaches 19 second graders.

“I just loved working with the kids and had lots of encouragement from family and friends to go back to school. And I’m so glad I did. This is the best school to work at and I am so blessed to work around such great people,” Lanicek said.

Not only does Lanicek have “teacher of the year” honors, her daughter-in-law, Kelly Lanicek, a Special Education teacher at Fairhope Middle School, also received the same honor this year.

“ I was so happy for her and was amazed by the fact we both got this at the same time. That is not something I ever expected to happen. Our name is not the most common one out there. I am so very blessed and fortunate to have received this honor,” Lanicek said.

In the 15 years Lanicek has been in the classroom, there have been many changes in the educational world but the biggest, she said, is the advancement of technology.

“We didn’t even have computers or SmartBoards when I started out. I had chalk, a blackboard and a book. Now the kids have so many options for learning and it is amazing what we can do now. Next week we are taking a “virtual field trip” for Thanksgiving and it is really so neat for them,” Lanicek said.

Lanicek’s favorite part of teaching is being able to do so many hand-on activities with Math, Science and Reading and Social Studies and seeing how much the kids learn from it.

In addition to teaching in the classroom, Lanicek has also been overseeing the afterschool program for the past 10 years and Rosinton principal Dr. Theresa Hardin describes Lanicek as “an extraordinary teacher.”

“Her warmness and compassion are overwhelming to me. She is so professional and calm when dealing with parents and students and motivates all her children to do their very best. She is also a master with her technical skills and she manages to integrate technology into all disciplines of her teaching,” Dr. Hardin said.

Hardin also expressed an appreciation for all the teachers working together so well and always having such a positive attitude toward each other.

When she has time, Lanicek likes to work in the yard and spends a lot of time with her husband, Danny and two children, Lindsay and Wesley and two grandchildren. The Lanicek’s are also members of First Baptist Church of Robertsdale.