Congratulations to Jessica Cohen who has been honored as a 2007 Wal-Mart Local Teacher of the Year. Cohen is a second grade teacher at Holly Ridge Primary in the Cherry Creek School District.

Cohen was nominated for the award by customers of the Wal-Mart store located at 9400 E. Hampden Ave. Store manager Michael Stokes said those customers commented on how well Cohen connects with her students and how hard she works to make sure they truly understand what they are learning. Stokes presented Cohen with a shirt, certificate, $100 Wal-Mart gift card, and a $1000 check for the school.

Cohen is now eligible for the 2007 Wal-Mart Colorado Teacher of the Year, which will be announced this fall. The state winner receives $10,000 for his or her school, through Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year Program. The program has honored more than 26,000 teachers across the country in the past 12 years.