We join the community in congratulating the eight teachers who were selected as their school’s “Teacher of the Year,” at Thursday’s meeting of the Decatur County Board of Education.

We extend a special congratulation to Jones-Wheat Elementary School pre-kindergarten teacher Amanda Rentz, who was named the system-wide 2013-14 Teacher of the Year. The selection committee, in its evaluation of Rentz, said she “[has] a caring spirit in the classroom and that was conveyed through her teaching.”

It has often been said that without teachers, there would be no other professions. That is certainly true. Teachers touch the next generation, and help to train and nurture our future leaders and bright citizens.

Teaching is often a thankless job, and that is why we join the Board of Education in saluting these outstanding educators.