Submitted
Phyllis Montalto
Longtime Trussville resident and educator reflects on her decades of service as a nurse, teacher and leader, sharing her love for community, family and lifelong passion for education.
Q: Please tell our readers about yourself.
A: Who am I? Personally, I am a Christian, wife, mother and grandmother. I love spending time with my husband, three children, their spouses and nine grandchildren. My husband, Anthony, and I will be married for 48 years in December. Traveling and cruising are some of our favorite pastimes. Professionally, I am or was a nurse, teacher, school principal, and state and district leader. I had the privilege of enjoying two different paths during my professional career — one as an educator and before that as a registered nurse. I began my nursing career working in the open heart intensive care unit at Brookwood Hospital and my teaching career teaching fourth grade at Hewitt Elementary School. Both careers provided me with opportunities to serve others. Once I retired from full-time work, I reconnected with friends whom I enjoy playing pickleball with.
Q: Can you share a little about your journey—how you came to live in Trussville and what has kept you here over the years?
A: Some people travel to other cities, states and even countries when they grow up, but some of us stay close to home in a community that we love. I grew up in Trussville. My dad built and owned the Dairy Cone on Main Street, where my family spent a lot of time. I remember always feeling very important because my dad provided the white paper bags to the whole elementary school to decorate for Valentine’s Day. Local businesses have always supported the local schools and fortunately still do. My family rented a house on Vann Circle while our home on Linden Street was being built. I think we moved into our home when I was in first grade. Now I live three houses up the street from where I grew up. Not only did I not leave Trussville; I didn’t even leave the street I grew up on! Anthony and I both worked in Trussville schools and had the privilege of watching students become the next generation of Trussville residents. Trussville is a very special place and where Anthony and I wanted to raise our children and hopefully grow old.
Q: What local traditions or events do you feel truly capture the spirit of Trussville?
A: I grew up in Trussville during a very special time. Safety was never an issue, and children were free to roam all over town as long as they were home by dark. Kids of all ages would ride bikes and spend hot summer days at the Trussville pool. There were still enough forested areas around the town to go hunting, hiking in the woods, and exploring the caves and rocks on Trussville-Clay Road. Friday night football was, and still is, a huge part of the community. Growing up, Erwin High School was the big rival for Hewitt-Trussville High School. Now a school by that name doesn’t exist anymore; however, the love for Friday night football is still going strong. Dog Daze is a more recent event that pulls everyone to the mall area for food, fun and fellowship.
Q: Looking back, what are you most proud of in your time as a resident in Trussville?
A: Although Trussville has grown tremendously through the years, it still retains that community feeling. Churches, schools and local organizations actively provide opportunities to spend time with fellow community members. The expansion of businesses along with the entertainment district provides additional outlets to socialize with friends and family. Even though growth was inevitable, Trussville has maintained its community identity. Safety is still a blessing that we treasure.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in education, and what keeps you passionate about it after all these years?
A: My husband was an educator, and he will tell you that I was inspired to be an educator because he had holidays and summers off. While there is some truth to that, I always enjoyed school and all it entailed. When I was principal at Hewitt-Trussville Junior High, I found old records from my junior high days. On the career survey I listed two options for future careers: teacher and nurse. I guess you could say I fulfilled my destiny! I love being an educator. The students are a constant source of joy when they discover new learning and grow throughout the school year. I loved teaching, and when I decided to become an administrator, I enjoyed that as much or more. I enjoyed providing professional development that helped teachers grow their instructional skills and talents as a leader. There are so many aspects to education that an educator should never grow tired of teaching. I would advise educators that are experiencing burnout to explore different fields and roles to keep their love of learning and teaching alive.
Q: After retiring from public education, why have you chosen to keep working in the education sector?
A: I guess some people don’t know when to fully retire and relax. I retired after over 30 years in education right when COVID made itself known. At that time, I was director of curriculum and instruction in Jefferson County. I knew I still wanted to work, but maybe not full time. After several months, I went to work with the Alabama Reading Initiative with the State Department of Education as a literacy leadership specialist. I did that for several years then “retired” again for a while until I heard about the work being done with ThriveWay and Peer Helpers PLUS. Their mission to “foster positive youth development by educating and empowering students with the essential character traits and skills needed to advocate for healthy choices, resolve conflicts and cultivate positive peer relationships” spoke to me. Their comprehensive peer-to-peer prevention and support program is phenomenal. In fact, Trussville City Schools are strong implementers of Peer Helpers PLUS. I love still being connected to something I strongly support in a position that provides the flexibility I need to enjoy family, friends and traveling.
Q: Are there particular moments or accomplishments in your career that stand out as especially meaningful?
A: I’ve mentioned it before, but as a school and district leader, I celebrated when I helped teachers or leaders become confident in their educational and leadership skills. Over my career, I’ve had numerous teachers move into school and district leadership roles. Their success affirms my faith in their abilities, and I love that I was able to play a role in their accomplishments. I’m also a firm believer that school principals must be instructional leaders. I hope my support and encouragement has helped some of the principals I’ve worked with to become stronger leaders with the skills and talents to be the best they can be.
Q: What do you think are the most important qualities an effective educator must have today compared to when you first started teaching?
A: When I first started teaching, the demands on educators were not as overwhelming as they are today. Accountability has taken on a life of its own with multiple assessments that are important but challenging. Teachers today need to be able to juggle multiple balls at one time while still making student academic, emotional and social success a priority. Flexibility is important for educators. Curriculum changes, leadership changes, assessments change — but one thing that doesn’t change is the joy on a child’s face when they learn something new. That never gets old. Next, teachers need a support system, both personally and professionally, to help them navigate the challenges of the profession. Finally, educators need to take time for themselves. Burnout is a real problem for educators who don’t take time to rest and recharge.
Q: What advice would you give to a young person who wants to pursue a career in education?
A: There is no greater profession in the world. It is demanding yet fulfilling on so many levels. If you’re fortunate enough to live in a community where you teach or lead, you have the added benefit of watching your students grow into adults and maybe even teaching their children one day. Follow your passion. If you’re passionate about being an educator, you’ll love it! If you don’t feel joy and passion as an educator, find what you are passionate about and pursue that dream.
