“I want to become an elementary school teacher. When I was in fifth grade, I had a counselor who picked me out of a bunch of other classmates. She noticed something in me that I didn’t notice in myself. She wanted me to apply to the schools that were for the gifted, schools that I didn’t even know existed. I take her as a testament to why I want to be an elementary school teacher. I want to notice kids’ potential and help them be who they can be and flourish into someone they want to be.” – Angelena Lee, 17, of Birmingham.

Angelena Lee of Birmingham wants to be a school teacher. (Tyneisha Carter/People of Alabama)

These are the faces and stories of people from all walks of life who call Alabama home. People of Alabama is a Red Clay Media and Alabama NewsCenter partnership.