Woman recognized as teacher of year

EAST PALESTINE -- Diane Clapsaddle of Lisbon has been selected as the Ohio Wal-Mart and Sam's Club Teacher of the Year, in cooperation with the Miss America Organization.
"I've been teaching for 28 years," Clapsaddle said. "Towards the end of your career, you look back a little. This is just a nice touch."
"Gee, maybe I did do something valuable," she added.
Clapsaddle teaches English, college prep English and French at East Palestine High School, and she is also the yearbook adviser.
"It's extremely nice for Diane to be recognized this way," said Dave Guy, East Palestine High School principal. "It's nice for the school. It speaks well for the fellow staff members who support her. She's representing the entire staff when she receives this recognition."
Reward: The program recognizes and rewards teachers who become distinguished leaders and mentors. Every teacher selected locally receives $500 for his or her classroom, a Wal-Mart vest and a certificate of recognition. Local winners had the opportunity to apply for the state teacher of the year honor. A panel of experts selected Clapsaddle from 3,021 local winners. She will receive $2,500 toward programs at East Palestine High School.
Clapsaddle was nominated by a former student who now works for Wal-Mart.
"For me, that was wonderful," Clapsaddle said. "Teachers don't often get a lot of feedback from students, so that meant a lot to me."
One of the state winners will be selected as the national winner this fall during the 2002 Miss America competition. The winner will receive an additional $5,000 for his or her school.