News-Record.com

Remember when the school year was ending and you brought your teacher an apple or box of candy to say thank you?

Well, local businesses like to thank teachers, too. Here are some recent awards handed out to educators in Guilford County Schools.

Retail giant Wal-Mart recently named its local Teacher of the Year winners.

The top teachers in Guilford are: Kiyoshi Carter at Southwest High School, Sharon Kelly at Guilford Middle School and Brian Thoma at Ragsdale High School.

Each receives a $1,000 educational grant for their school, a $50 gift card to buy classroom supplies, and an honorary Wal-Mart greeter's vest.

On Thursday, a coalition of corporations gave kudos to 17 educators in Guilford County Schools.

The 11-member Business Advisory Board for Science and Mathematics for Guilford County Schools handed out plaques and stipends from $350 to $500 to the winners. This group encourages teachers to pursue the latest information in science and math and sponsors the district's annual science fair.

Here's the list of this year's winners:

Distinguished Service Award
Science: Rebecca Stump, Brooks Global Elementary
Math: Mary Kimberly Coppage Mann, Brooks Global

Excellence in Teaching
Science: Lori Penry, Nathanael Greene Elementary; Fran Lusk, Kiser Middle School; Lisa Rose, Northwest High School. Math: Krista Ann Hannah, Murphey Traditional Academy; Karen Cantwell Thorpe, Kiser Middle; and Jo A. Adams, Western High School. Technology: John Phillips, Brooks Global.

Rookie of the Year
Science: Megan Renart, Jesse Wharton Elementary; Denise Mackert, Kiser Middle; Demetrice Smith, Page High School. Math: Melissa Wellman, Jefferson Elementary School; Page Mason Kelly, Northwest Middle School; and Philia Mozie, Dudley High School.

Principal of the Year
Science: Sandra Culmer, General Greene Elementary.
Math: Margie Thompson, Hairston Middle School.