Pam Hunter named 2026 Gold Star Teacher at Autauga County center

Pam Hunter’s recognition as the 2026 Gold Star Teacher puts a Prattville operation in sharp relief: the Autauga County Family Support Center says it served 2,000 people in its most recent fiscal year with free education, employment and family-support services.

The Alabama Community College System described Hunter as the center’s “heartbeat,” a label that underscores how central adult education has become inside the Family Support Center at 113 W. Main St. in Prattville. Founded in 1997, the 501(c)3 nonprofit says its mission is to improve the quality of life for children and families in the River Region through education, advocacy and employment. It also says it maintains satellite locations across Autauga and Elmore counties, extending its reach beyond downtown Prattville.

The center says every program, class and training it offers is free. That matters in a county where transportation, childcare and entry-level job barriers can quickly block access to credentialing. The Family Support Center says its adult education program is built for adults who have not earned a high school diploma or equivalency and who are at least 17 years old and not currently enrolled in K-12 school.

Its services include GED preparation, HSDO, ESL, WorkKeys, digital literacy classes, ACE, MAP and employment assistance. The center says GED recipients are eligible for one free course at a public two-year college in Alabama, a small but concrete advantage for adults trying to move from basic credentialing into postsecondary training or a better-paying job.

The local site is part of a much larger statewide network. ACCS Adult Education says it operates more than 400 locations across Alabama, served more than 29,000 residents last year and awarded more than 5,000 GED and high school equivalency diplomas. The system lists Dr. Wade Brackins as adult education director for the Autauga County Family Support Center.

Hunter’s award points to more than one educator’s success. It reflects sustained demand for services that help adults finish school, build literacy, improve digital skills and keep working. For Autauga County families, the center is not just a classroom at 113 W. Main St. It is a local entry point to credentials, employment and, for many, a first step toward stability.