Gainesville Middle School science teacher Hugh McKinney has been named the city school system’s teacher of the year for 2010-11.

Superintendent Merrianne Dyer made the announcement at the city board of education’s meeting Tuesday night.

“We are so very proud of him and the work that he has done,” Dyer told a large crowd gathered for numerous recognitions before the board. “He brings so much to teaching.”

McKinney said outside the board meeting that he was surprised at receiving the honor, especially given that he is in just his fifth year of teaching.

“It was a pleasant surprise, and it means a lot because you’re nominated and voted on by your peers,” he said.

Teaching is his second career, as he spent 32 years in clothing manufacturing.

“That’s what brought me to Gainesville,” he said. “And then, of course, things being what they are with competition off-shore, a lot of the apparel places have closed. So, I decided to try something different.”

McKinney went on to earn teacher certification, as well as master’s and specialist degrees in education.

He has spent all of his teaching career at Gainesville Middle in eighth-grade science.

“I love it. I love the people I work with,” McKinney said.

The board also recognized Tracy Markey as Centennial Arts Academy’s 2010-11 teacher of the year; Jennifer Hicks, Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy; Michelle Colbert, Fair Street IB World School; Lynette Rivera, Gainesville Exploration Academy; Heather Scott, New Holland Core Knowledge Academy; and Lisa Sheehy, Gainesville High School.