Laura Jones, teacher of the year

I don't know about you, but it seems like nearly everything I've been reading about teachers and education in the past few weeks has been negative. Political controversies, funding problems, teacher-predators, school violence...

Some good news, then: a Pasco teacher has been named this year's best in the state.

Laura Jones was among nine finalists for the award, announced at the Museum of Flight in Seattle. The winner represents Washington in the national Teacher of the Year competition....

Jones, 38, who used to work in marketing and public relations, is in her 12th year of teaching. At Pasco, she teaches marketing and specialty-foods marketing, runs the Deca chapter and helps students run the school store. She earned her teaching certification from Central Washington University and her master's degree in education from Heritage University.

Jones said she realized teaching was a calling while she was in her previous job. There, she said, she enjoyed training people and working with interns.

Of her career at Pasco, she said, "I have the most rewarding job in the world, and my students just make my day, every day."

It's a sentiment I'm sure most teachers share. Congratulations to Jones, and to the eight finalists who have been honored by the state.