ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — When students file into Tiffaney Plato’s classroom at Central Baldwin Middle School, they are excited. There is so much to do and so much to get done.

Sometimes, that “so much to do” part gets the better of a few students, leading them off track, and Plato has to gently but firmly get them back on track.

That gentle but firm manner and her enthusiasm for teaching has earned Plato “2009 Secondary Teacher of the Year” honors from the Baldwin County Public Schools. She received her award at a banquet at the Trojan Hall in Daphne March 5. Nikki Cotton of Orange Beach Elementary was selected as 2009 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

“It was an unbelievable moment,” said Plato, describing the moments after she heard her name called by Danny Coleman of Fairhope High, recipient of last year’s award. Teachers teaching students in grades 7-12 compete for the “secondary” honors, while those who teach lower grades earn the “elementary teacher” honor.

She says she was, “sitting on the edge of my chair” when her name was called.

“I knew I had worked hard, and tried my best, but I did not expect to get it. I was overwhelmed,” she said. “I busted out crying.”

Plato’s husband, Jonathan and their daughters, Hope, a fifth-grade student, and Kristen, a third-grader both at Robertsdale Elementary, were with her.

“The kids picked up the camera and started taking pictures of me,” Plato said. “They were all very excited.”

“My daughter Hope said, ‘Momma made me cry, too,’” chuckled the Robertsdale high graduate.

While Plato did not expect to win, she had her family with her so they “could experience a special time.”

Plato says she was so excited and overwhelmed, “Danny (Coleman) had to help me up onto the stage.”

Plato was also congratulated by CBMS principal Michael Vivar and Assistant Principal Faye Sheppard.

Plato was nominated for the award by other teachers at CBMS.

“Once nominated, we had to write out our philosophy of teaching,” Plato said. The same application will be used to determine the statewide Teacher of the Year award. The local applications were judged by parents, business people and other members of the community.

Plato has been teaching for 14 yeas, the last 10 at CBMS. She is listed as a “7th Grade Enrichment-Technology, 8th Grade Enrichment-Technology” teacher on the school’s Web site.

Plato and Cotton will now vie for the state “Teacher of the Year” award,

Describing herself as “humbled and honored” by the award, Plato said, “I want to thank all of the students, parents, teachers, administrators, and the Baldwin County Public School System for their support of me and my career as a teacher.” She later adeded, “I want to say also that I thank God for placing me in such a rewarding career.”

While Plato is delighted to be honored, she’s looking ahead. As the “Career Technologies” teacher, she will be shepherding 45-50 youngsters and chaperones to Bessemer at the end of the month to the Technology Student Association competition. The first-place winners at the state level will be invited to go on to national competition in Denver.

“We have to buckle down and finish some projects,” said Plato.