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Surrounded by her students, Susanne M. Dana, a chemistry teacher at Blacksburg High School received an unexpected surprise Wednesday morning when she was named the Virginia Region VI Teacher of the Year.
The unexpected announcement came as a shock to Ms. Dana, who has been a teacher in Montgomery County for the last eight years. “I’m completely shocked,” said Dana. “I do know, that I have learned from the teachers here and in Montgomery County every day and I wouldn’t be the teacher I am if they weren’t the teachers that they are.” "In addition to representing their regions, these educators being recognized today represent the more than 98,000 Virginia teachers who inspire and encourage students to achieve at increasingly higher levels and work to ensure that every child is successful in the classroom," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr. "Our teachers work to make certain that Virginia's children benefit from a high-quality education that will prepare them to be successful in our global economy." The eight regional winners were selected from among candidates submitted by their school divisions. The candidates prepared and submitted portfolios highlighting their professional accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities. A panel of representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community, and 2007 Virginia Teacher of the Year Susan W. Evans of Rural Retreat reviewed the portfolios. The panel will interview each of the eight Regional Teachers of the Year on October 26 to select the 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The decision will be announced that evening during a celebration in Richmond. The 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth's nominee in the National Teacher of the Year program, a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers, and sponsored by ING Foundation. Photos: (Top left) Some of the students in Ms. Dana’s chemistry class show off the Region VI Teacher of the Year award in which she was presented with Wednesday morning. (Right) Dr. Doug Cox (left) of the Virginia Department of Education presents the Region VI Teacher of the Year award to Ms. Susanne M. Dana (second from left) as Blacksburg High School Principal Michael Hurst, Montgomery County School Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Anderson and District A school board member Phyllis Albritton look on. (Photos by David Grimes)
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