A Mobile educator who once argued cases in courtrooms and presided over a municipal bench is now being celebrated for the way she brings that real-world background into her high school classroom. Carol Little, who teaches government and economics at LeFlore High School, has been named a Golden Apple Award winner, one of the region’s most recognized honors for classroom excellence.
Little’s path to teaching was anything but conventional. Before stepping in front of students, she worked as a lawyer, served as an assistant city attorney, and later sat as a municipal judge. That combination of legal training and courtroom experience now shapes how she approaches her government classes, where she says her central mission is to help teenagers understand their role as citizens.
“The goal of a government class is to make sure students become responsible citizens,” Little said. “And I’m also a lawyer, so I understand the importance of voting and having our young people realize how important it is that they participate in our system.”
For Little, simply teaching the mechanics of government is not enough. She said she hopes her lessons plant a seed that grows well beyond graduation.
“Hopefully one of my students will come to me and say, ‘I’m running for office, and I learned I could run for office from taking your class, and realized how important it is’ — so that’s my goal in life,” she said.
Students at LeFlore say that approach has already made a difference. Doniceia Matthews, who nominated Little for the award, said Little’s influence extended across her entire time at the school. “The reason I chose Ms. Little was because she has motivated me and encouraged me all my years at LeFlore High School,” Matthews said.
LeFlore Principal Dr. Antonio Williams said Little’s background sets her apart from many classroom teachers, giving lessons on government and civic participation an authenticity that textbooks alone cannot provide.
“She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and expertise to the classroom,” Williams said. “She’s able to bring a lot of real-world experiences into the lives of our students.”
The Golden Apple Award recognizes educators across the region for outstanding classroom instruction and dedication to their students, with winners typically nominated by students, parents or colleagues who have seen firsthand the difference a teacher has made. Little’s recognition adds to a growing list of honors for educators within Mobile County’s public school system.
School officials and colleagues have congratulated Little and LeFlore High School on the honor, noting that her work in the classroom reflects the kind of civic-minded instruction the award is designed to celebrate.