When judges pore over nominations for Western North Carolina’s teacher of the year they are sure to be impressed by Polk County’s nominee.

Kim Mirasola teaches biology, honors biology and now biofuels at Polk County High School.

Polk County Schools Superintendent Bill Miller said Mirasola’s passion for pushing student curiosity is what makes her such a great educator.

“Miss Mirasola is a very student-centered teacher – she’s popular with students and very concerned with students and their learning,” Miller said. “By evidence of the biodiesel program, newly formed at the high school, she’s always right there on the cutting edge of what students are learning in science. She pushes her students to want to know more.”

Mirasola began teaching with Polk County Schools five years ago.

“I think it’s [being named Teacher of the Year] very humbling – I’m very honored. There are many excellent teachers so to be on top is just overwhelming,” she said.

This year she and fellow teachers convinced school officials to add a biofuels course to the curriculum. Through grants and cooperation from the community, students will begin learning about the process of creating biofuels using cooking oil next semester.