Hartselle City Schools has selected Shelia Reeves and Mary McClanahan to be two of the school system’s nominees for Jacksonville State University Teacher of the Year.

Reeves is an eighth grade English teacher at Hartselle Junior High School. She has been teaching in the school system since 1987.

The announcement was made Friday morning during an assembly in the Pettey Center in front of the student body and school staff.

Reeves, who was nominated from the middle school grades, will receive $50 to use in her classroom and one-half of a professional development day to submit an application for the JSU award program.

“I was shocked,” she said. “We have a great staff here at Hartselle Junior High School. I am honored to receive this recognition.”

McClanahan, a second grade teacher, was also surprised Friday afternoon during an assembly at F.E. Burleson Elementary School.

“I had no idea this was going to happen,” McClanahan said. “I am honored to receive this recognition.”

McClanahan, a 27-year teacher, said she loves being with second graders.

“I’ve been a second grader for 28 years,” McClanahan said. “I just love being in the second grade and getting to teach second graders. I just love seeing them learn and grow throughout the year that they’re in my classroom. It’s rewarding to see them understand something new.”

McClanahan’s inspiration to be a second grade teacher came from her own second grade teacher at Falkville, Virginia Helton.

“I always knew I wanted to be a second grade teacher because of her,” McClanahan said. “If I could inspire one of my students to be a teacher like Mrs. Helton did, then my teaching career would have been a success.”

The system’s high school nominee will be announced at a later date.