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Sunrise River Elementary School fourth grade teacher Julie Roman was named a Wal Mart Teacher of the Year in May. She received the regional award May 29, presented by White Bear Sam's Club store representatives.

Roman was honored, along with 4,000 teachers nationwide, with the award. She received a $1,000 grant for the school, a $ 100 gift card to buy classroom supplies, a Teacher of the Year polo shirt and a personalized certificate.

Teachers are nominated by members of the community and selected by a committee of store or club associates.

Honoring the local winners is the first part of Wal-Mart's three-tiered Teacher of the Year program. All local winning teachers have the opportunity to apply for state Teacher of the Year honors to receive a $10,000 grant for their schools. Each state winner is automatically entered into the national competition. The one national winner, who will be recognized in the fall, will receive an additional $25,000 education grant for a total of $36,000 to his or her school.

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