It was a parade of students, teachers and administrators as the Troup County school system named third-grade teacher Katie Willis of Berta Weathersbee Elementary School as its 2010-11 teacher of the year.

Cheers rang out as the teacher stood in shock at the announcement made during Tuesday’s reception at Best Western Lafayette Garden Inn.

The system’s other 27 teachers of the year gave a standing ovation along with numerous faculty members from the system and community members in recognition of Willis’ work.

“I’m undeserving among all of you,” she said to the other educators. “… I’m just excited and nervous, so thank you guys so much. I’m very appreciative.”

Other finalists were Kimberly Burgess, technology and engineering teacher at Callaway Middle School, and Luann Jones, agriculture teacher at Troup High School. Each elementary school picks one teacher to represent them as their teacher of the year and each middle and high school picks two.

A committee of teachers, administrators and community members look through the teachers’ applications and rate them, coming up with the finalists from each group and the overall winner.

More than anything, it’s an honor being named a teacher of the year at any level, officials said.

“I know each of you are proud for those who’ve gone before you,” school board Chairman Daves Nichols told the teachers.

Rochelle Pompey, the 2009-10 teacher of the year, expressed her own appreciation for the educators, making sure they each understood that “you are the difference-maker - embrace it, use it, but never abuse it.”

The look in children’s eyes when they read and understand a passage in a book is why they’re teachers in the first place, she said.

“The rewards of teaching are limitless,” Pompey said. “Stand out, change the atmosphere and be the difference maker.”

Willis will participate in the state teacher of the year competition, where finalists will be named in January and the state teacher of the year in May 2011.

Trey Wood can be reached at twood @ lagrangenews. com or (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.