Teachers and support personnel at Hartselle City Schools were surprised Friday when visitors from the central office stopped by to name and recognize the teachers and employees of the year.   

This is the fifth year the deserving individuals have been surprised at school shortly before Christmas break.  

Kim Jared and bookkeeper Tracy Sharp were recognized at Barkley Bridge Elementary School. Jared, who is the gifted teacher at the school, was also chosen as the Elementary District Teacher of the Year for Hartselle City Schools.   

Kindergarten teacher Candice McCaghren and custodian Vann Morrow were the recipients of the awards at Crestline Elementary School.   

At F.E. Burleson, reading specialist Katie Davis and Kim Nelson, who works in the cafeteria, were the pair chosen for the honor.  

Sarah Iverson and Amy Turner were chosen as the teacher and support staff member of the year at Hartselle Intermediate School.   

At Hartselle Junior High School, Eve Cheatam and Carla Gillette were chosen for the honors. Cheatam, who teaches Mathematics at the school, was also chosen as the secondary Teacher of the Year.  

Victoria Counce is the Hartselle High School Teacher of the Year while Tom Dusina was given the honor of support staff member of the year.   

Staff members at each school chose who received each award, and of those winners, a committee determined the overall elementary and secondary district teachers of the year, according to Tina Towers, the elementary curriculum coordinator for Hartselle City Schools.  

Towers said the elementary and secondary district teachers of the year will submit an application packet for Alabama Teacher of the Year in January and have an opportunity to attend Blue Ribbon Conference or receive $1,500 for their classroom.