Mid-Carolina High's Alexandra Koch was honored Thursday at the school district's Teacher of the Year reception. Koch received her award from School Board Chair Jody Hamm, left, and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Norma Price was honored as Prosperity-Rikard Elementary's Teacher of the Year at the school district's reception Thursday. Here Price is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Leesa Iseman was honored as Newberry Elementary's Teacher of the Year at Thursday's reception. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Laverne Brock was honored as Whitmire Community's Teacher of the Year for the high school at Thursday's reception. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Janie Kitchens was honored as Reuben Elementary's Teacher of the Year at the district's reception Thursday. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Jackie Eachues was honored as Boundary Street Elementary's Teacher of the Year at the school district's reception Thursday. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Emily Huggins was honored as Newberry High's Teacher of the Year at the school district's reception Thursday. She is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Daniel Wicker was honored as Mid-Carolina Middle's Teacher of the Year at the school district's reception Thursday. Here he is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Debbie Shealy was honored as Pomaria-Garmany Elementary's Teacher of the Year and the school district's Teacher of the Year at the district's reception Thursday. Shealy is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Brandi Hayes was honored as Little Mountain Elementary's Teacher of the Year at the school district's Thursday reception. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Brian Gordon was honored as Newberry Middle's Teacher of the Year at the school district's reception Thursday. Here he is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Alisha Rutherford was honored as Gallman Elementary's Teacher of the Year at the school district's Teacher of the Year reception Thursday. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left, and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

Rita Baker was honored as Whitmire Community's Teacher of the Year in the elementary school. Here she is pictured with Jody Hamm, school board chair, left and Bennie Bennett, district superintendent, right.

slideshow

NEWBERRY — Teachers of the year from every school in the county were honored Thursday night at the Newberry County School District Teacher of the Year reception.

The school district collaborated with assistance from across the district to recognize teachers and support staff employees of the year as well.

Hosted at Newberry Middle with music provided by Newberry High student Kennedy Glasgow and food provided by the district’s nutrition and food department, the event appreciated those who help to educated the young minds of the county.

Newberry County School District Superintendent Bennie Bennett says, “This is one of the most enjoyable moments at the school district and throughout the year.”

District 40 Representative Walt McLeod and Senator Ronnie Cromer were also in attendance as Bennett thanked them for their support of public education.

“We are in a tremendous fight in public education,” said Bennett, who was thankful for a senator and house member who are always there.

The district’s teacher of the year is Debbie Shealy who teaches fifth grade at Pomaria-Garmany Elementary. The runner-up is the Newberry County Career Center’s Wanda Connelly who teaches cosmetology. Connelly was unable to attend the reception.

Shealy has taught with the district for 22 years.

Pomaria-Garmany Principal Beth Brooks introduced Shealy with this to say about her, “She greets them with a smiling voice (and) strives to create an environment where students learn.”

Shealy said she is just one person representing so many of the teachers in the county.

“It indeed takes many in a village to raise a child,” said Shealy, “Teaching is a path in life that we have all found.”

Shealy encouraged all teachers to “continue to be an inspiration to those around you. We are all teachers on that long winding, yellow brick road” referencing the Wizard of Oz.

School Board Chair Jody Hamm also expressed his thanks to all of the teachers and support staff.

“You are the face of public education and we appreciate everything you do, every day,” said Hamm.

Note: The support staff employees of the month will be in another issue of The Observer.