The Mathews County School Board got the chance to celebrate excellence this week, recognizing three employees as its 2017-2018 Teachers of the Year.

At the start of Tuesday night’s meeting in the Mathews High School media center, Superintendent of Schools Nancy Welch had the honor of presenting gift baskets, and her thanks, to this year’s honorees—Lee-Jackson Elementary School third grade teacher Chandler Rogers, Thomas Hunter Middle School fifth grade math teacher Tracy Whitehurst and MHS special education teacher Christine Henderson.

“It’s not the school board who chose you. It’s your peers … it is the greatest honor,” Welch said.

The gift baskets were overflowing with items from a number of local merchants and others who wanted the chance to show their appreciation to these top teachers.

Gift basket items came from: The Florence and Leonard White and Ladie and Irving Hudgins Charitable Trust, Dr. C. Ben Lennon/Mathews Dentistry,...