NEWTOWN SQUARE–Six teachers in the Marple Newtown School District were nominated from each of the six schools within the district as a "teacher of excellence."

According to the district, in a joint partnership between the Delaware County Intermediate Unit and the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union, the Delaware County Excellence in Teaching Award was created in 2007 to recognize outstanding and dedicated teachers in Delaware County.

The six nominated teachers and educators of excellence within the district included Frank Long, of Worrall Elementary School, Tracy Paine, of Russell Elementary School, Marilyn Bajtelsmit, of Loomis Elementary School, Sandy Curson, of Culbertson Elementary School, Dan Collins, of Paxon Hollow Middle School, and Elizabeth Landes, of Marple Newtown High School.

"I'm beaming with pride at all six of these outstanding educators this year," said Superintendent Merle Horowitz during a school board meeting on Feb. 28.

According to Horowitz, a panel of retired superintendents are asked annually "to take a look at the six nominations and make a decision" for the nomination of one of the six teachers to move on to the county level recognition.

This year's teacher of excellence to represent the district on the county level went to Liz Landes, a biology and AP environmental studies teacher at Marple Newtown High School.

"There are great teachers everywhere," stated Landes after receiving the recognition. "It's really a great honor."

Landes coaches the high school's Hi-Q team, is one of the advisors for the school's Interact Club, and is the timekeeper for the girls and boys basketball, girls lacrosse, and track games and matches. In addition, she's the head coordinator for the sophomore class initiative's Project 10–a class-wide charity fundraising project.

In addition to Landes, Paine was also given special recognition as this year's Broomall Rotary's Teacher of the Year. Paine is a kindergarten teacher at Russell, who helped spearhead the 'Bat-o-Lantern' fundraising project last fall at the school to help raise money towards childhood cancer awareness.