Scotland County Schools named Amber Watkins, a history teacher at Scotland Early College High School, as its 2009-2010 Teacher of the Year.

"It's a great honor," Watkins said. "I think everyone here has worked hard. I would be happy to represent Scotland County on the district level. I am speechless, I really am."

Her principal, Billy Storms, had nothing but praise for the second-year teacher.

"Amber Watkins is probably one of the most dynamic teachers I have ever seen in the classroom. I think teaching is an art form, and when you walk into her classroom, you see an artist at work.

"The students are truly engaged the whole time and she is just a great person in general and it is just an honor to have her at our school and to be able to call her my colleague and bounce ideas off of her. She is a great support for everyone there, including the administration and all the students.

"She just loves us all and is a true team player."

He recalled interviewing her with a colleague. They both decided to hire her immediately after the interview. Storms literally ran through the building to catch her before she reached the parking lot of Richmond Community College to let her know.

Teachers of the Year were selected for each school by its faculty and staff. The school system then had a committee pick from those top teachers to decide the Scotland County Teacher of the Year. The committee was made up of Katherine Allen, Ashley Bryant, Sandy Callan, Rachel Jones and Lillian McDavid.

Those selected from each school are:

• Virginia Covington, Carver Middle

• Allison Boyd, Covington Street Elementary

• Kachina Deberry-Spaine, I. E. Johnson Elementary

• Susan Johnson, Laurel Hill Elementary

• Linda Tilson, North laurinburg Elementary

• Lisa Shelton, Pate Gardner Elementary

• Patty Napier, Scotland Accelerated Academy

• Martha Tremblay, Ninth Grade Academy

• Cathy Hodges, School of Health Sciences

• Beth Ferguson, School of Leadership and Public Service

• Stephanie Phillips, School of Math, Science and Technology

• Kitty Winchester, School of Visual and Performing Arts

• Crystal Odom, Shaw Elementary

• Maggie Wells, South Scotland Elementary

• LaTonya McLean, Spring Hill Middle

• Barbara Wheeler, Sycamore Lane Middle

• Angie Swails, Wagram Primary

• B.J. Hughes, Washington Park

Also recognized was Principal of the Year Pat Gates of South Scotland Elementary.