Rebecca Wilson, 31, was surprised when she was announced as Robinson Elementary School's 2012-13 Teacher of the Year.

"I found out at the end of last school year at a yearbook assembly," she said. "I was actually videotaping the event when they announced my name so I was very shocked."

Wilson, who is beginning her third year as media specialist, first began as a kindergarten teacher at Robinson Elementary eight years ago.

She said she works alongside an excellent faculty and is humbled to receive the accolade.

"We have a lot of great teachers here and I think there are a lot of other teachers that do such a great job. I was very surprised I got it," she said.

Principal Roxanne Fausett said Wilson was nominated for working well with others and for having a servant's heart.

"Miss Wilson works well with everyone - parents, students and faculty. She never says ‘no' to anything and she is always willing to help and do whatever is necessary to help our school and our students," Fausett said.

Originally from Snellville, Wilson said she loves the north Georgia community. She attended North Georgia College & State University and now holds a dual degree in early childhood education and special education.

Wilson said she loves being in the media center, surrounded by books and stories.

"I loved kindergarten, but I've always wanted to be in the media center," she said.

Wilson believes literacy is vital to a child's education and encourages children to find their reading niche.

"Children have to love to read. If they don't learn to love to read when they're younger then they're not going to love to read when they are older," she said.

Leading children to get more involved, Wilson facilitates the media club, which allows older students to read to kindergartners and first graders.

When summarizing her goals, Wilson said she tries "to make it fun to read."

"I show students different genres and give them lots of options so hopefully they will find something they do love reading and they will continue to read as they get older," she said.

Later this fall, Wilson has the chance to be selected as the systemwide teacher of the year from among the 2012-13 teachers of the year at each of the local schools.

An external committee of administrators and teachers from neighboring counties will look at each of the nominated teachers and make a final selection.