By Melyssa Allen

Amanda Huerta, '06, has been named the Johnston County (N.C.) First Year Teacher of the Year. Huerta, who earned a Bachelor of Music in music education, teaches music for Kindergarten through fifth grades at West Smithfield Elementary Accelerated School.

Huerta received a golden apple paperweight that reads "Johnston County Schools Most Outstanding First Year Teacher 2006-2007" at the county's first year teacher banquet.

She had been nominated for the award in March. "It was truly an honor just to receive the nomination from my school," Huerta said after her principal informed her that she was her school's nominee.

When the school system's superintendent called her name at the awards ceremony, Huerta was "shocked beyond words."

Huerta had not always planned to teach. At Meredith she began as a biology major, with plans to attend medical school.

"I was taking a couple of music classes for fun when I realized that that's what I really loved," Huerta said. "Little did I know that I would completely fall in love with the idea of teaching and working with students...the feelings that I received after teaching my very first mini-lesson were amazing. I knew I had chosen the right path."

The award-winning teacher credits her Meredith education with preparing her for the job.

"I feel like my professors made sure that I was ready to deal with any and everything I came across," Huerta said. "My Meredith education has given me the confidence and the experience that I need to truly make a difference as a teacher."

For more information on Meredith's music programs, visit www.meredith.edu/music.