Local teaching legend Jo Griffin said that she did not feel like a community leader. But the community that she has been a part of for over 50 years begs to differ.

The teacher from what has been known as The Little School received a community leadership award from a Gardendale chapter of the Woodmen of the World, an insurance society.

Dozens packed the small lodge not far from Gardendale High School to witness the ceremony in which Griffin was honored.

At the ceremony, guest speaker Judge Brian Huff stood and commented before the award was given to Griffin. As he spoke, he stressed the importance of leadership and service to community.

“Leadership is something that you grow into,” he said. “We have to believe that it’s our responsibility to improve our community.”

Tamra Roberts, who is the field representative at the Gardendale Woodmen of the World lodge spoke about griffin.

“She has never taught unkindly,” she said of Griffin’s teaching style and conduct towards students.

Afterward, Roberts presented the award to Griffin. The Little School teacher spoke briefly and thanked the audience for their support and enthusiasm.

When she stepped down from the podium, former students, who are now grown into adulthood, were given the opportunity to voice their gratitude for Griffin’s presence in their lives and in their children’s lives.

Griffin has been teaching at The Little School for a little over 50 years and shows no sign of stopping anytime soon, much to the pleasure of her students and former students.

Griffin has taught about 1,000 students over the course of about three generations. At The Little School she teaches young children around the ages of 4-6.

Griffin first started teaching in Birmingham in 1960 before moving to Gardendale and establishing her career around teaching kindergarten and has been known for her religious devotion, as well as teaching lessons from the Bible to her students.

“I’m so excited,” said Griffin on her award. “It was something I did not know about. I felt like I was just a teacher for the little ones and helping them develop but I didn’t call myself a community leader. But I’m really excited.”