Chambers wins $1,000

Newsboy photo/ Sharon Kerr TEACHER OF THE YEAR Ranesha Chambers received a framed award from Parnell Principal Betty Powers. Lillie Weatherspoon (left) and Sandra Lopez (right) presented a check to the school for $1,000 and a Wal-Mart gift card to Chambers for $100.

When Parnell Elementary teachers and staff gathered at Elijah's for their annual breakfast May 25, they had no idea one among them had been selected as Jasper Independent School District's teacher of the year.

Ranesha Chambers, a reading specialist, received a $1,000 check for her school and a $100 gift card from the Wal-Mart Foundation.

"Ranesha Chambers has been very innovative in obtaining grants for the reading lab and getting books for the students," said Tas McGraw, community liaison for JISD. "Especially at Parnell, that's such a critical age for getting a grasp on reading and learning skills that will follow them through the rest of their school years."

Lillie Weatherspoon, the Wal-Mart community representative, said the Wal-Mart Foundation has joined with the Phi Delta Kappa International to sponsor local teacher recognition programs. Chambers is now eligible to be considered for the state award of $10,000 or the national grant of $25,000 for her school.