Wal-Mart honors teachers

David Mann was unaware of the award he was going to receive Tuesday, but he knew something was up after seeing his mother and sister at Central Elementary.

"That was a little treat," Mann said after being honored by Wal-Mart Distribution as its 2006-07 Teacher of the Year.

"I'm a little surprised," Mann said. "But getting an award feels good."

Central Elementary Principal Brad Hayes said Mann defines what a teacher should be.

"He works hard to make sure kids are taken care of," Hayes said.

Mann received a framed certificate in addition to a T-shirt and a gift card from the distribution center.

The center also donated $1,000 to the school to use to help out students in any way.

The recognition coincided with Teacher Appreciation Week.

Also on Tuesday, North Putnam Middle School teacher Jim Brothers was named the Wal-Mart Local Teacher of the Year.

Brothers is in his 27th year as a physical education teacher at the school.

"This is the greatest place to work," Brothers said. "I'm just very honored. I do have the best job in the world."

Brothers was nominated by a student at the school.

He received a $1,000 grant for the school, a $100 gift card to buy classroom supplies, a Teacher of the Year T-shirt and a personalized certificate.

Teachers are nominated by members of the community in February and selected by a committee of store or club associates.

Across the nation, more than 4,000 teachers were honored.

All local winning teachers have the opportunity to apply for state Teacher of the Year honors to receive a $10,000 grant for their school.

Each state winner is automatically entered into a national competition.

The one national winner, who is recognized in the fall, will receive an additional $25,000 education grant.

Since the program began in 1995, Wal-Mart has honored more than 25,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $18.5 million to local schools.

The company is one of the largest corporate supporters of teachers and education as it gave more than $57 million in support of educational initiatives last year.