My name is Tonya Turner and I’m from Daphne, Alabama. I received my Bachelors in Business Administration from the University of South Alabama and a Masters in Elementary Education from Troy University. We moved to this area in 2006 and my husband retired from 20 years of service in the military a few years later. I have been with Russell County since 2012. Somehow I have only taught odd numbered grade levels of first, third, and fifth. However, third grade has a special place in my heart!
I have lived in many different areas to include Berlin and Schweinfurt in Germany, Colorado Springs, and in the desert in California. I have seen the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, the Rocky Mountains, the Grand Canyon, and the Alps.
We have filled our “second lives” with raising horses, cats, and dogs on a small ranch. My horse in a 30-year-old Arabian named PJ. PJ is getting too old to ride but he is very special and will live as a pasture pet.
I also belong to a non-profit organization that supports active duty and other veterans that suffer from PTSD. Our main focus is to assist Soldiers and Families in transitioning and adjusting to life after traumatic occurrences and family separation due to deployments such as war. Our Horsemanship Program is designed to provide support, similar to equine therapy, to Veteran and their Families in the tri-community area.
My son is the United the United States Army and my daughter is attending Southern Union State Community College. Both my son and daughter graduated from Smiths Station High School and they participated in multiple sports to include wrestling, cross-country, and soccer.