The Long County Board of Education during its recent meeting recognized the 2014-15 teachers of the year from each school as well as four retiring employees.

The school district’s teachers of the year are Brooke Anderson, Smiley Elementary; Holly Long, Long Middle; Terry Kenny, Long County High; and Jessica Coleman, Walker Elementary.

SES Principal David Edwards said Anderson is an outstanding teacher, well-rounded in her abilities and always eager to help others.

LMS Principal Heath Crane cited Long as being versatile and able to be moved anywhere an assignment is needed.

He said she is a wonderful teacher and a product of the Long County School System.

LCHS Principal Scotty Hattaway said Kenny is devoted to young people and has a passion for education.

Kenny has been teaching for 44 years, Hattaway said, and Long County is fortunate to have him as a teacher and band director.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Waters said Coleman wasn’t present because she was coaching in a girls’ softball game.

He said she is a good teacher and a valuable asset to the school system.

Retiring employees recognized were Kimberly Cason, Linda Smith, Keith DeMartini, Gerald Kinder and Trelice Swindell.

Edwards said that all the kids at SES love Cason and that she "fit the bill" as to what a teacher is supposed to be.

Cason replied that she is thankful to have worked in Long County and looked forward to coming back as a part-time employee.

Crane said that Smith loves children and that she would do whatever was asked of her as a teacher. He said he would miss her and that she could come back and work at the school whenever she wanted to. Smith said she is thankful to God for providing her with a job at SES, and that she would miss the children and staff.

DeMartini took teaching seriously, Crane said, which was reflected in him being the most-requested language-arts teacher by both parents and faculty. Crane said that unlike many retirees, DeMartini continued to push his students and teach them intently, right up until the last day of school.

DeMartini said he is blessed to have taught in Long County and is thankful to Jesus Christ, his wife and school-system staff. He said that the system reflects quality values and cares about the kids.

Kinder was a maintenance man who could "fix anything," Crane said, adding that Kinder is intelligent and thanked him for always doing the extra things that he asked him to do.

"I’ll come back any time," Kinder replied.

Swindell wasn’t able to attend the meeting, but Waters said that she taught in the school system for 16 years.

Board of Education Chairwoman Janet Watford congratulated the teachers and retirees and said that she and the board appreciated their service.