Seven of our neighborhood’s best teachers (click on each photo above for a full-frame version) were honored this week by the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce during the group’s annual Teacher of the Year Awards luncheon, held at Lakehill Preparatory School’s Alice and Erle Nye Family Environmental Science Center.

Honored as outstanding teachers in the public elementary/middle school division were Stonewall Jackson Elementary’s Mary Ann Trapalis, Susan Clegg and Margaret Sorrells for their teamwork with the school’s fifth graders.

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Outstanding public high school teacher was Brook Varner with Woodrow Wilson; Varner is a science teacher honored for her dedication to students, including visiting the homes of at-risk students.

In the private school division, two Lakehill teachers were honored: Lou Wilkin was recognized for a 24-year career teaching elementary students Spanish language, history and culture, and Bryna Thomson was honored for helping foster her middle school students’ interest in science. Also, Dallas Academy’s Bettye Davis received an award for dedicating 45 years to the school’s students.

Chamber chairman Roger Perry presented awards to public and private school teachers who were selected from among nominations by Chamber members and neighborhood residents. Scott Manis with Doctors Hospital at White Rock Lake was chairman of the luncheon, which was sponsored by Comerica Bank, which was represented by senior vice president Jim Weber. Dr. Sarah Maxwell, assistant dean of the University of Texas at Dallas and a Lakehill parent, was the keynote speaker.