Clancy Elementary science teacher Ted Polette said being honored by a student is the highest award a teacher can get.

So when former student Gregory Elison chose Polette as his distinguished educator and the teacher who most influenced his educational career, he began rethinking the retirement he was considering.

“After 26 and a half years, I was thinking of retirement, but when I get an accolade like this, I’m putting those plans a little in the future for now,” Polette said.

Polette was one of 48 educators and high school seniors recognized at Helena Education Foundation’s seventh annual Celebration of Excellence Monday night at the Great Northern Hotel.

Read the whole story in the Independent Record.