A kindergarten teacher at Chicopee Woods Elementary School is the top educator this year in the Hall County School District.

Teacher Cyndy Crites was selected Monday as the Teacher of the Year for the 2017 school year. Superintendent Will Schofield and Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Eloise Barron surprised Crites in her classroom to make the announcement in front of her students.

“Honestly, I was in disbelief, and as the tears flowed, I quickly had to explain to my confused kindergartners that they were happy tears,” she said. “They immediately jumped up out of their seats and gathered around me to give hugs.

“In the midst of all the hugging, one pushed to the front of the group to tell me she was so proud of me, and another of my students grabbed a tissue and handed it to me. Unconditional love — it’s what they give. It’s what I hope they get from me every day.”

Crites has been an educator for 18 years. Prior to coming to Chicopee Woods three years ago, she had taught in North Carolina and Augusta.

Chicopee Woods Principal Lindsey Chatham called Crites a “passionate educator.”

“She puts 100 percent of herself into her students and her craft,” Chatham said. “Her journey is amazing, and I am honored to work with her. Cyndy is deserving of this tremendous honor. I am so proud of her and her accomplishment.”

Crites will compete with other system winners from across the state for the honor of being selected Georgia Teacher of the Year for 2017.