Spanish teacher, Lori Nielsen was honored with the school district Teacher of the Year award at reception in her honor. Nielsen was recognized for the award along with Edwin Sherwood and Kelly McKenzie for achieving National Merit semi finalist status.

After the awards were given, the choir performed, and  Mr. Claude Smith, the Principal at SHS, spoke about Nielsen’s success as a teacher.

“So there’s no surprise to anybody at Searcy High School that Lori Nielsen is Teacher of the Year for this year,” Smith said. “She’s teacher of the year every year as far as we’re concerned.”

Nielsen said she was happy to be chosen by her fellow teachers.

“It’s been a great honor, it’s exciting,” Nielsen said. “And I really appreciate all of my colleagues for supporting me.”

Afterwards, refreshments were provided to all guests that attended while they congratulated the recipients.

After 35 years of teaching only at SHS, Nielsen is especially deserving of the award according to one of her colleagues.

“She’s very humble, very not about herself,” Steve Snow, English teacher said.  “She’s more about the kids and what she can do to help them and encourage them in speaking in a language that’s a foreign language to them.”

Being Teacher of the Year, the best advice Nielsen could give to future candidates seeking the award was “Work hard, care about the kids and love your job.”