The "Teachers of the Year" for 2009 were recognized at the Lincoln County Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, October 7. Pictured are: (l-r) LuAnn Beale, LCHS Teacher of the Year and Lincoln County Teacher of the Year; Dr. Randall Edmunds, superintendent of schools; Ken Hayes, LCMS Teacher of the Year; Dr. Robert Williams, chairman of the board; and Mollie Asbell, LCES Teacher of the Year. LuAnn Beale, "Teacher of the Year" for LCHS, was named the systemwide Teacher of the Year for 2009 at the regular meeting of the Lincoln County Board of Education held Tuesday, October 7.

Beale teaches economics at LCHS.

Also recognized at the meeting were Mollie Asbell, LCES Teacher of the Year, and Ken Hayes, Teacher of the Year for LCMS.

Prior to naming the new Lincoln County Teacher of the Year, Brian Campbell, assistant superintendent for instruction, gave a brief overview of the program.

"We have modified the process a little bit to help us meet our goal, which is to have one of our teachers in the top 12 in the state. We plan to keep tweaking the process until we have a state finalist from Lincoln County. We have top notch teachers, who deserve to be state finalists."

According to Campbell, teachers and administrators, with input from the students at the middle and high school levels, chose three "Teachers of the Quarter" at each school last year, with each school selecting its own Teacher of the Year from this group.

The system then brought in outside judges to determine who would serve as the Lincoln County Teacher of the Year for 2009.

"These judges observed the candidates in the classroom and interviewed them as well as read their applications," explained the assistant superintendent. "In the past, we have depended solely on the applications. This year, our judges got the whole picture."

He went on to say that the judges deliberated for over an hour. "They wanted to honor all three teachers - - they didn't want to pick just one. They were very impressed with the nominees."

During the meeting, the three honorees were introduced by their respective principals.

Commenting on Asbell, who is a speech language pathologist, LCES Principal Marilyn Bell said, "Mrs. Asbell has passion, commitment, and high standards. She has also worked a few miracles, helping children express themselves verbally."