DEERING -- She didn’t know she was about to be honored for being a great teacher. She didn’t know the kids she loves to teach would chant her name like a rock star. And, she didn’t know her proud parents had been secreted into the building to celebrate with her.

Ronda Hall, Deering Elementary fifth-grade teacher got a big surprise Tuesday when Principal Eric Holmes called a school assembly.

With him were two Sam’s Club officials, and they had chosen her as the area’s Teacher of the Year.

Hall was nominated by some students who had visited Sam’s club with their parents and noticed the Spirit Award ballot box.

They submitted Hall’s name, and encouraged other students to do the same.

Vivian Schug, chairperson of the Sam’s Club Spirit Committee, said that on the nomination forms, the kids talked about how Hall does, &uot; anything she can to make reading fun.&uot;

&uot;They talked about how she would get up on tables and carry on to get their attention. They talked about how willing she was to help them if they needed extra help,&uot; Schug said. Committee members decide Hall was just the teacher they were looking for.

&uot;We wanted someone who goes that extra mile, who does a little bit more and gives an extra effort to the job,&uot; Schug said.

Holmes agreed that Hall fits the bill. &uot;Ronda’s commitment to education is a real asset to our school,&uot; Holmes said. &uot; You couldn’t ask for a better person or teacher.&uot;

This week was Teacher Appreciation Week throughout the nation. Holmes said the kids took part in an assembly Tuesday, and the announcement was made then.

&uot;We had a real good time,&uot; Holmes said. &uot;The kids were on their feet, clapping and shouting ‘Ms. Hall, Ms. Hall’. She cried. It was a nice ceremony. Kids don’t often get the chance to show teachers how much they appreciate them.&uot;

Hall said it’s nice to be honored for something she enjoys so much.

&uot;I love being a teacher. I love these kids. I’m honored to be a teacher. Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune