Kerri Palmer and Shane Rayburn share a passion for learning, and they instill that in their students. Today, we honor them and other Gainesville and Hall County teachers who help make our students great.

Georgia's Teacher of the Year program recognizes teachers in the public school system who go above and beyond the call of their profession.

Story: Palmer says she's not afraid of a challenge

Video: Watch as Gainesville Teacher of the Year Kerri Palmer reads a book to her first-grade class at Gainesville Exploratory Academy.

Story: Struggling students inspired Rayburn in his profession

Video: Step inside Shane Rayburn's classroom and find out why he is Hall County's Teacher of the Year.

Other notable teachers

List: Hall County schools

List: Gainesville schools