AUGUSTA, Ga. - One of five top educators will be named Richmond County’s “Teacher of the Year” Thursday night.

The finalists are:
- Steve Galvin, John S. Davidson Fine Arts School
- Lori Hoover, Hephzibah High School
- Jami Lavender, Hephzibah Elementary School
- Alissa Stramenga, CT Walker Magnet School
- Denise Turner, Wheeless Road Elementary School

NBC Augusta 26 News has learned the finalists were selected based on criteria that include contributions and accomplishments in education and the ability to inspire learning.

Richmond County Schools nominated 58 school teachers for the 2010 Teacher of the Year award.

All nominees will be honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet which will be held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites on 10th Street.

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