Efland, N.C. — Cindi Rigsbee, an Orange County middle school reading teacher and North Carolina's Teacher of the Year for 2008-09, is one of four finalists for the prestigious 2009 National Teacher of the Year Award.

She teaches sixth- and seventh-grade reading at Gravelly Hill Middle School. The state named her as its teacher of the year in August.

“Being named a national finalist is a testament to the great things happening in Orange County Schools and the work being done by all of our teachers every day,” Rigsbee said. “I can’t express the immense gratitude that I feel to everyone in our schools and community. This honor is as much theirs as it is mine.”

Rigsbee began her career as a high school English and drama teacher in the Guilford County Schools. She has taught middle school language arts, reading, dance and drama in Vance, Wake and Durham Counties.

She joined the staff at Gravelly Hill Middle School in 2006.

“To be chosen as the best teacher in the state among over 95,000 other teachers is an enormous accomplishment, but to be named as one of the four best teachers in the nation is truly phenomenal,” Orange County Superintendent G. Patrick Rhodes said.

The National Teacher of the Year is chosen from among nominees from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three territories and the Department of Defense Education Activity. President Obama will recognize the winner and the state representatives in a ceremony at the end of the school year.