A Long County teacher recently was surprised in her classroom with the news that she had been selected as the special education teacher of the year for the Long County school system.

Co-teacher Destiny Pendry received the news Feb. 4 and was given a bouquet of flowers and a balloon, delivered by department head Michael Taylor and high school Principal Scotty Hattaway.

"Mrs. Pendry is passionate about her students and deeply cares about each and every one of them. She is a team player and quite an asset to our staff as a co-teacher," Hattaway said.

This is Pendry’s second year in the Long County school system. She is certified in special education but teaches all subjects, including government, world history and math.

"This is the best school system I’ve ever worked in. Everyone backs you up, and we’re all one big family. I love teaching, and I love all of my students," Pendry said.

Before joining the Long County school system, Pendry taught for two years in Ware County. Her husband is retired from the Army, and they are expecting their first child in August.