At Oak Harbor High School’s senior assembly, students were not the only ones surprised with year-end recognition. Pottery teacher Frank Jacques was called out of the bleachers in front of the student body to accept his award as Teacher of the Year.

Jacques, of South Whidbey, is an 18-year teacher who has been at OHHS since 2002.

In reading Jacques’ nomination form, Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Rick Schulte said, “When you see the work that Frank Jacques’ students produce, you would wonder if there is something special in the water. His students leave his classes proud of their abilities and are even recognized in regional and national shows.”

This year, a record five students had artwork accepted into the National K-12 ceramics exhibition. Only 150 students nationwide were selected for this show, putting OHHS among the best of the best.

Yet, the anonymous nominator had a different reason for the honor. That person wrote, “Frank has made a variety of disabled students welcome in his classes. He has been a key support for a challenging (special needs) student and he enthusiastically embraces placement of profoundly disabled (Life Skills) students in his classes.”

Jacques received one of three top employee awards issued by the independent Excellence in Education Committee to high school staff.