The Polk County Schools Board of Education recognized a handful of the district’s best educators during a ceremony Monday evening at Stearns School in Columbus. The board handed out trophies for PCS’ 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year awards, which honored the top teacher in each school, as well as the top district teacher of the year. Recognized were, from left: Ginger Turner, Sunny View Elementary; JJ Waddell, Polk Central Elementary; Leslie Rhinehart, Polk County High School and District Teacher of the Year; Matthew Putnam, Polk County Middle School; Kevin Burnett, Saluda Elementary School; and Donna Godley, Tryon Elementary School. (Photo by Ted Yoakum/Tryon Daily Bulletin)