At the June 3 meeting, the Board of Education recognized Courtney Garner of Elvin Hill Elementary and Terri Duncan Hipps of Vincent High School as 2009-2010 first year Teachers of the Year.

Thirteen teachers from all over the county sent in essays to be considered for the award.

Garner’s essay focused on wearing “multiple hats” — teacher, nurse, guardian, mentor, comforter and listening post — and the difference between being equal and being fair.

Hipps’ essay encouraged teachers to take a three-fold approach to their job: looking inward, outward and onward. She also talked about combating the attitudes of apathy and complacency.

Garner teaches first grade and Hipps teaches math for grades nine through 12.

In other business:

-The board unanimously voted to approve the 2010-2011 Student Code of Conduct and Attendance. Donna Dickson, student services coordinator, said changes to the code were minor and mostly dealt with wording issues in the old code.

-The board also approved the use of United Healthcare Insurance Company as the system’s student insurance provider for the 2010-2011 school year. The company has provided insurance for the school system for several years, and also provides a field trip option which was used several times last year.