Once again, a Metter High School teacher will be spotlighted in WTOC's Top Teacher segment as Twila Durden received the most recent local nomination for the honor. The interview with Durden is scheuled to air on WTOC News on April 18.

"This is the first time I have ever been chosen," said Durden, adding that her nominator chose to remain anonymous. "I would love for them to tell me so that I can thank them for the honor.

"It is always an honor to be chosen by a student -- or it could have been a parent for all I know. As teachers, we don't always know how we affect students at school, whether it is in a positive manner or not. We also do not know whether our efforts are enough for the students we teach.

"It is nice to know that someone thinks that I did enough and influenced them in a positive manner."

Durden has taught in Candler County for 20 years, three years at Metter Middle School and 17 at MHS.

She holds a bachelor of science degree in medical technology and a masters in secondary science. She is gifted certified and is certified at the middle school level in math, science and social studies. She is broad field high school science certified and currently teaches physical science and physics. She was named STAR Teacher in 2011.

Durden is the daughter of Ken and Ernestine Powell of Metter. She and her husband, Andy Durden, have three sons, Erik and Evan, who have each graduated from Metter High School, and Ethan, a senior at MHS.

Courtesy of Metter Advertiser