Associated Press - November 3, 2009 1:34 PM ET

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) - A Lewiston teacher has been named the state's top educator.

Kelli Smith of Sacajawea Junior High School was named the 2010 Idaho Teacher of the Year Tuesday by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna.

At an assembly, Luna said Smith "works hard each and every day to improve student achievement by showing students the real-life applications of the lessons they learn in the classroom."

For the honor, Smith gets $1,000 from the State Department of Education, $16,000 worth of technology equipment, software and training and a 32-seat clicker set valued at $1,100 that allows students to give immediate feedback.

School districts and charter schools can nominate one teacher for the Idaho Teacher of the Year annually, with the winner chosen by a selection committee representing teachers, education leaders, parents and legislators.

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