Four Ballenger Creek Elementary teachers and the assistant principal were surprised at a schoolwide assembly when they were called to the front of the school auditorium. Unbeknownst to them, the Ballenger Creek Law Office had selected each of them as recipients of a $100 Teacher Appreciation Award.

Students and their parents nominated 16 educators for the awards. The five recipients, shown in the photo from left to right, are: assistant principal Lori Snowden, second grade teacher Jean Blank, third grade teacher Kelley Hood, Ballenger Creek Law Office representative Colleen Rye, first grade teacher Tresa Kallarackal, and kindergarten teachers Suzy Llewellyn and Jenny McGinnis.

Former Frederick County Public Schools special education teacher Colleen Rye now works at the law office and presented the awards.

"This is an outstanding example of community support for public education," said Principal Stephanie Brown. "We very much appreciate the way the Ballenger Creek Law Office went the extra mile to appreciate the fine teachers at our school."