SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — In Alexis Osment’s classroom, Room 404 at Effingham County High School, it’s not just about science. It’s about trust, respect, grace and the life skills students carry with them long after they leave the room.
From problem-solving to communication, organization to empathy, Osment sees her role as more than teaching content — it’s preparing young people for life. Her dedication to building relationships and extending grace has earned her admiration from colleagues and students alike.
Teacher of the Year
Osment was named Effingham County Teacher of the Year for 2025–26, succeeding Ivory Brown of Ebenezer Middle School. She was selected after a competitive process involving school-level winners, applications and interviews, representing an outstanding group of educators across the district.
“I am honored to recognize the outstanding work Ms. Osment is doing at Effingham County High School,” Superintendent Yancey Ford said. “She is a tremendous choice for Teacher of the Year, representing the teaching profession with excellence and integrity. Her classroom is built on curiosity, strong relationships and a commitment to empowering students to reach their full potential. Her passion, dedication and genuine heart truly reflect the very best of Effingham County.”
A Decade in the Classroom
Now in her 10th year of teaching, Osment began her career at Alexander High School in Douglasville, Georgia, before moving to Effingham County five years ago. She teaches physical science and human anatomy and physiology, though her experience spans biology and environmental science. Her classes often mix freshmen through seniors, giving her a front-row seat to the challenges and triumphs of students across grade levels.
Grace and Relationships
For Osment, relationships and grace are central to learning.
“It’s not necessarily the content I’m concerned about my students getting,” she says. “You need to learn the content, but it’s the skills they’ll use outside the classroom — respect, communication, problem-solving, organization and time management — that last. When I build relationships and trust with students, and when I offer grace when they stumble, I can teach them these skills. They may not even realize it at the time. There’s value in that.”
She strives to create a classroom where students feel safe, respected and valued, with equity, social-emotional learning and grace woven into every lesson.
“My biggest thing is respect,” she says. “I always start every school year emphasizing — you’re going to be respectful to yourself, your peers, your teachers and school property. I will not tolerate disrespect. To them, it might sound simple, but to me, it’s the biggest thing. And when mistakes happen, showing grace is just as important as teaching content.”
Finding Her Calling
Her journey into teaching was unconventional. With a master’s in exercise science from Georgia State University, she briefly worked at an orthopedic clinic in Atlanta. A layoff, coupled with encouragement from her husband — Austin Osment, now a physical education teacher and football coach at Effingham County High — led her to substitute teaching. Within days, she was thrust into a world literature classroom with no prior experience.
“On day three, I thought, ‘I can’t do this,’” she recalls. “But the relationships I formed with students, and the grace I learned to extend to them and myself, made me realize this was my calling. This is what I am supposed to be doing.”
Osment draws inspiration from her athletic background as a long-distance college swimmer at Mars Hill University in North Carolina. “Resilience is key,” she says. “I had injuries and setbacks, but I stuck with it. That perseverance translates into my classroom every day, and it’s complemented by the grace I try to model for students when they face their own setbacks.”
Balancing Work, Life and Leadership
Beyond academics, she balances teaching with life as a mom of four — ages 7 to three months. She rises at 4 a.m. for Peloton workouts, stays involved in Effingham County High School football through her husband’s coaching, watches SEC football on Saturdays and supports her children’s activities.
“When they go to bed — usually around 8:30 — I go to bed,” she said.
Her colleagues in the science department credit Osment with helping build strong camaraderie and a supportive culture within the faculty.
“She’s a leader,” said Jennifer Exley, physics and forensic science teacher. “And always willing to help others. We just love her.”
Environmental science teacher Bailey McGrath described Osment as her “mentor,” someone who has helped her navigate challenges with parents and students. “She’s a good person to bounce ideas off,” McGrath said. “She’s also good at problem solving and suggesting possible solutions.”
Impact That Lasts Beyond Graduation
Former student Olivia Lott, a 2024 Effingham County High School graduate now majoring in elementary and special education and Spanish at Georgia Southern University, said she still keeps in regular contact with Osment. “She’s always asking me to come back to Effingham,” Lott said.
She called Osment a teacher “who motivates and innovates.”
Lott originally planned to study sports medicine and become a doctor, but a study-abroad trip to Ireland shifted her goals — an experience she says Osment encouraged. “She pushed me to go to Ireland,” Lott said. “She told me this will shape how you think about the world. It did.”
Lott said the biggest lesson she learned from Osment wasn’t science content but the power of connection. “I think it is important to build relationships as you grow,” she said. “You can’t build yourself up just on brains — you need to work on the relationships that push you to succeed and be the best version of yourself, pushing you to chase your dreams and making what seems impossible possible.”
A Leader Who Lifts Others
Osment’s influence extends beyond her students. She mentors colleagues, supports new teachers and speaks positively about the profession.
“I don’t crave the spotlight,” she says. “My focus is on relationships and extending grace, and if I can help others see the value in this work, that’s the reward.”
Whether guiding students through complex scientific concepts, cheering from the sidelines at a football game, or cycling before sunrise, Alexis Osment brings passion, dedication, grace and heart to everything she does — making her a standout educator and a deserving Teacher of the Year.
