By SUE ELLEN ROSS, Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – Santa Hymel and Alison Cupit are very popular with their students at LaPlace Elementary School. They also are held in high regard by their fellow educators.

Each of the women have been named Teacher of the Year 2003-04 by their co-workers.

The annual honor is bestowed to teachers at the end of the school year, according to Principal Courtney Millet. Nominations come to her office and are based on the number received as well as the content. Those suggestions are submitted strictly by those they work with, she added.

“I think this is so important, because the teachers are chosen by their peers,” said Millet.

When nominating Cupit, a middle school teacher, her peers made many comments in reference to her sunny personality and motivation to help her students. “Alison’s dedication, organization and depth of knowledge are inspiring,” said one co-worker. “She is an outstanding educator.”

Comments on the nomination of Hymel range from admiration of her caring and compassionate nature to her ‘neat, clean and organized classroom.’

“She teaches every minute of the day,” said one fellow-instructor. “Along with the curriculum, Santa teaches her students life lessons – such as respect, honesty and manners. She is a great person.”

Certificates and items of appreciation were presented to the honorees at the end-of-the-year faculty meeting in May.