It’s not always easy to sum up what makes an excellent teacher stand out, but local school leaders did their best during the annual Teacher of the Year celebration on Wednesday.

More than 20 area teachers were honored for their passion, their ability to think outside the box, and in one case, for reading a story “just like a real leprechaun” would.

Educators from Albemarle School, Camden County Schools, Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools, New

Life Christian Academy, College of The Albemarle (Honoree Robin D. Harris, and President Dr. Deitemeyer pictured to the right), Mid-Atlantic Christian University and Elizabeth City State University were honored for their above-and-beyond efforts to educate students of the Albemarle area.

Camden County Schools Superintendent Ron Melchiorre told the crowd gathered in MACU’s Campus Life Center that Camden Middle School teacher Rose Lee had been selected as the district’s teacher of the year.

Melchiorre read Lee’s students’ comments to a giggling crowd, as he explained that Lee is, according to her students, “awesome” and “fun.”

The event, sponsored by Sylvan Learning Center and conducted by the Elizabeth City Area Chamber of Commerce, served as a chance for school leaders to thank the exceptional teachers who serve their students.

River Road Middle School’s Suzanne Sanders was selected as Elizabeth City-Pasquotank’s teacher of the year. Superintendent Linwood Williams read a letter from Sanders’ principal, which praised Sanders for her honesty and integrity.

“She approaches any task with enthusiasm and passion,” Williams said. He added that he hopes to see every teacher educating with enthusiasm and passion.

Albemarle School Principal Billy Stallings said first-grade teacher Kellie Berry was his school’s teacher of the year, saying that her teaching style could be summed up in four words — prepared, persistent, positive and passionate.

Lynn Waddell, director of New Life Christian Academy, celebrated the hard work of Korene Dover, whom she said goes beyond all expectations.

“She views every child as a unique gift from God,” Waddell said.

COA President Kandi Deitemeyer honored Robin Harris, who earlier this year was awarded the 2009 RJ Reynolds Excellence in Teaching award — the top award given to a North Carolina community college teacher.

“She’s the best. She’s the best of the best in the great 58,” Deitemeyer said, referring to the number of community colleges in the state.

Deitemeyer, who took over as COA president last month, said she knew she was coming to the right place when she heard Harris’ acceptance speech for the RJ Reynolds award. In it, Harris used the words “passion” and “compassion” over and over, Deitemeyer said.

ECSU Chancellor Willie Gilchrist said that the faculty’s decision to choose Christopher Palestrant as teacher of the year was a relatively easy one. Gilchrist told the crowd that Palestrant is known and loved for his ability to think outside the box. Not long ago, Palestrant brought a blues band to the university’s promenade.

Gilchrist then invited Jennifer Palestrant, president of the local Chamber of Commerce and the honoree’s wife, to introduce her husband.

Palestrant had stepped down from her usual position as moderator of the event because of her husband’s award, but didn’t hesitate to tell the crowd how proud she was of him, and that he was “born to teach.”

MACU President Clay Perkins honored Wendy Gurthie, a graduate of the university and a two-time winner of the teacher of the year award.

Perkins read aloud comments from Gurthie’s students, who praised her for pushing them to become better people.

“They write, ‘she has pushed me to be a better woman of God, wife, and student,’” Perkins said.

Following the presentations, Albemarle Economic Development Commission Director Wayne Harris thanked the educators for the level of thought and effort they put into their work.

“Thank you all for deciding to become teachers and enriching the students of the Albemarle area,” Harris said.