The Long County school system has named Walker Middle School teacher Donna Lynn Williams as special education teacher of the year.

“She works great with all of the students,” WMS Principal Heath Crane said as he presented the award at a recent school board meeting. “The kids love her, the faculty love her and I’m very proud of her. She is a great representative for Walker Middle School and the entire Long County School system.”

Board member Linda DeLoach said, “She is a great asset to our school system, and like all of our administrators, teachers, parapros and support staff, I am personally proud of her.”

Also at the meeting, board members learned that five students from Long County High School will represent the county at a National Health Occupations Students of America conference. LCHS Principal Scotty Hattaway said Arturo Caldero, Sara Parker, Josh Wasden and Kylie Yancey would be at the conference competing in the HOSA Bowl, and Taylor Poole would compete in a concepts of healthcare contest.

“I’m really proud of these students,” BoE Vice Chairwoman Florence Baggs said. “The health occupations field is so important, it’s expanding and jobs are in demand. The experience that our HOSA students gain from opportunities like this will help make them more qualified as they go out into the workforce.”

Hattaway said the June 19-24 conference will be in Orlando, Fla., and will include symposiums organized by hospitals and healthcare companies. He said the students’ chaperones will be Teresa Mosley and Marc Roe.

The board approved the HOSA Club activities to raise money for the trip.