Fayette County High School teacher Linda Brem was caught off guard Wednesday morning when a contingent of school officials and board members entered her classroom with flowers, balloons and the news that she was selected as one of the top three teachers of the year in the Fayette County School District.

Brem was instructing her 11th grade advanced placement English class at the time, and was genuinely surprised by the unexpected visit. Colleagues Cathy Nix, language arts teacher at Rising Starr Middle School, and Jill Kirkland, a science teacher at Whitewater Middle School, also were caught off guard when their respective principals and boss, Dr. John DeCotis, congratulated them on being recognized as the top three teachers of the year.

One of the three will be selected as Fayette County's candidate for the state teacher of the year, with the announcement scheduled for April 13 during a celebration at Sams Auditorium.

“It's time to celebrate the teachers in the system,” Terri Gaspierak, staff development coordinator for the school system, told the board Monday night. Fayette County has not participated in teacher of the year competitions on a state or national level on a regular basis in the past, and Gaspierak is determined to change that. This year's top choice will be competing in next year's state level competition.

Each school in the county named a top teacher. Recognized for their dedication and creativity in the art of teaching were Lori Boggs, Braelinn Elementary; Patt Williams, Brooks Elementary; Tina Patrick, Burch Elementary; Joyce Simpson, East Fayette Elementary; Lin Zacherl, Fayette Intermediate; Ashli Wade, Fayetteville Primary; Barbara Howell, Fayette Middle; Brenda Cannington, Flat Rock Middle; Carol Long, Huddleston Elementary; Nancy Shepack, J.C. Booth Middle; Carol Hancock, Kedron Elementary; Rhoda Rush, McIntosh High; Mary Ann White, North Fayette Elementary; Lynn Shirley, Oak Grove Elementary; Alice Elfer, Peachtree Elementary; Lisa Coley, Peeples Elementary; Anthony Pattiz, Sandy Creek High School; Pam Foster, Spring Hill Elementary, and Margaret Garrett, Tyrone Elementary.

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