Lake Forest, Ill.-A select group of teachers are being honored by their toughest critics…their former students, in the sixth edition of Who's who among America's teachers, 2000.

All of the approximately 114,000 teachers being honored were selected by their former students who themselves are currently listed in Who's who among American high school students, or The National Dean's list, publications which recognize five percent of our nation's high school and college students respectively.

Paul Krouse, publisher of Who's who among America's teachers said, "there is no greater honor teachers can receive than to be recognized by former students for their excellence and dedication. In this publication we clearly have the best teachers in America selected by the best students."

The students were requested to nominate the one teacher from their entire academic career who "made a difference in their lives" by helping to shape their values, inspiring interest in a particular subject and/or challenging them to strive for excellence.

Many of the students commented about the enthusiasm and knowledge their teachers demonstrated in the classroom, and many praised their teachers for their ability to relate to youngsters on a personal as well as a professional level.

One student wrote about her teacher saying, "she made education something pleasurable, instead of a dreadful ordeal by letting me spread my wings and showing me the best way to fly."

Local educators honored in Who's who among America's teachers, 2000 include:

Jim B. Autrey and W.S. Godwin from Greenville Academy, Sarah McNaughton Burnette and Mary Jo Millergren Shephard from W.O. Parmer Elementary School, Patricia Newby Brown and Doris Lewis Rankins from Greenville Middle School, Charles Todd Henderson, Virginia Montgomery Stallings and Willie James Smith from Greenville High School, Betty L. Clem from R. L. Austin School in Georgiana, Helen Foster Gevin from Georgiana High School and Ronald Anthoney Yates from McKenzie High School.