Teacher of the Year finalist

Rebecca Mieliwocki, known for inspiring her seventh-grade English students at Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank, was named Thursday as one of four finalists for the 60th annual National Teacher of the Year Award.Barbara Jones in the Daiiy News,

Mieliwocki was notified about two weeks ago, then sworn to secrecy, that she had made the final cut from among nearly 287,000 public school teachers in California, and an estimated 3.2 million nationwide.

If she is announced as the winner in April, she'll be honored at a Rose Garden ceremony with President Barack Obama. She'll then embark on a yearlong speaking tour, sharing with educators and others the infectious enthusiasm and unflagging optimism that have made her a favorite among students and colleagues.