Newnan High School AP Teacher Linda Fields was named Wal-Mart’s Coweta County Teacher of the Year Monday, in recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week.

Newnan Wal-Mart store manager Roy Jones met Fields in her Advanced Placement (AP) U.S. history class this week, and honored her with the recognition and a $1,000 donation to the school. Fields, a 14-year Newnan High School teacher who teaches AP U.S. History and gifted civics, was chosen for the county-wide honor by current and former students who voted at the Newnan Wal-Mart store.

Fields and Newnan High School principal Steve Barker thanked Jones. “Thank you for recognizing teachers in our county,” said Fields. “Teachers work hard, and we appreciate your support.” The $1,000 prize will go to benefit the high school’s social studies department.

Wal-Mart's teacher of the year program is a part of the company’s long-term commitment to support education throughout the United States and in their store communities. 2007 marks the 12th year of this program and more than $5 million given to schools across the country in honor of their outstanding teachers.

The local teacher of the year honor is awarded by locally by Wal-Mart stores to an outstanding teacher in their area during National Teacher Appreciation Week. Since it's inception in 1995, Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year program has recognized more than 26,000 teachers at the local, state and national level for their hard work and dedication to the betterment of children.

“We had votes from all over Coweta for who is the best of the best teachers in Coweta County,” said Jones. Jones said that Fields received a large number of ballots and commendations from current and former students. Jones was joined in Fields’ class by Wal-Mart associates Robin Fauts and Maggie Gunter.

“Mrs. Fields does an outstanding job with the students and maintains a very high rigor in her course and expects very high standards from her students. She does a great job and we are pleased by her recognition,” said Barker.

Newnan Wal-Mart store Manager Roy Jones, left, presented Newnan High School teacher Linda Fields, center, with the Newnan store’s Teacher of the Year award. Fields was chosen by open voting at the Newnan Wal-Mart store. She was joined for the honor by NHS principal Steve Barker, right. Photo/Special.

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