The Clarke County School District today named the media specialist at Hilsman Middle School its 2004-2005 Teacher of the Year.

Superintendent Lewis Holloway surprised Steve Piazza with the news during an afternoon faculty meeting at the school, where Piazza has taught since 2002.

"The Clarke County School District is blessed with many excellent teachers, so it is a great honor to represent the best of the best," said Dr. Holloway. "Mr. Piazza's dedication and concern for all students make him a great ambassador for our schools."

Piazza began his teaching career in Clarke County in 1994 as a language arts instructor at Clarke Middle School. In 1998, he accepted the position of media specialist at Winterville Elementary. Piazza worked at Winterville until 2001 when he moved to Hilsman to oversee the school's new student laptop program. In 2002, Piazza accepted the position of media specialist at Hilsman.

Piazza holds an English degree from Governors State University in Illinois, a Masters in Literature from Northern Illinois University, and an Education Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia.

Each school in the Clarke County School District selected a Teacher of the Year last spring. The school-level honorees then completed an application packet that included essay questions on their teaching philosophy and public education issues. A committee comprised of school district representatives reviewed the applications and selected the district's Teacher of the Year.

Piazza will represent Clarke County in the Georgia Teacher of the Year competition.