Every day, in countless ways, teachers make a difference.

It might happen when a shy third-grader finally raises his hand to take part in a classroom discussion, or when a high school biology lab teacher helps a student realize she wants to study to become a doctor.

When teachers instill in their students a love of learning, they are handing them the most important tool they can have for a successful future.

Anyone who knows a teacher personally knows the commitments made by good teachers to their students are never confined within classroom walls. There are daily lesson plans to prepare, papers to grade, classroom displays to create. And good teachers love learning as well as teaching; they are continually working to broaden their own knowledge base.

The Newton County School System this week saluted its 23 school-level Teachers of the Year. Today, it will announce the three finalists for Newton County Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced on Sept. 26.

We congratulate each of the teachers chosen by their peers as Teachers of the Year. We know we can never thank them enough for what they do, every day, to make a difference.