Four local teachers have been announced as part of the 10 finalists for Jefferson County Schools Teacher of the Year.

Five teachers in grades K-6, and five more from grades 7-12 were selected from nominations by all 53 county schools.

Among the finalists for the elementary grades are Patricia Ausman, who teaches grades 3-5 at Mt. Olive Elementary; and Carol McArdle, sixth-grade math teacher at Bragg Middle.

In the upper grades, the finalists include Susan Dial, advanced placement and pre-advanced placement biology teacher at Gardendale High; and John Recke, AP government/history/economics/psychology at Mortimer Jordan High.

The other elementary-division finalists are Elisabeth Stewart Coleman, Gresham Elementary; Brenda Hancock, Clay Elementary; and Takisha D. Woods, Bottenfield Middle.

The other secondary finalists are Nidia Fernandez-Lee, Shades Valley High; Merri Jhan Head Powers, Oak Grove High; and Jonathan Allen, Minor High.

The top teacher from each division will will be announced in early March, and will then be the system’s nominee for the state teacher of the year award.