Teacher makes it to the group finals in competition

Jana Wiersema, The News-Gazette, Champaign-Urbana, Ill.
·1 min read

Apr. 26—DeLAND — Local kindergarten teacher Abby Long has once again advanced in the America's Favorite Teacher Competition from Reader's Digest.

Long, who teaches at DeLand-Weldon Elementary, is now in the top 5 within her group.

"I am overwhelmed by the support that I have received from the local communities," she said. "Grateful and appreciative seem like such a understatement with how I'm feeling."

Individuals can vote for Long by going to . It is free to place a single vote every day. A $1 donation to Teach for America allows individuals to cast an additional vote.

Voting for group finalists ends Thursday night.

According to the rules of the contest, teachers who are selected as competitors are divided into different groups. The number of competitors in each group is reduced by rounds of public voting.

This is then followed by group finals, a wildcard round, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals, with the grand prize winner announced on or around June 7.

The winner of the competition will appear in Reader's Digest and will also win a trip to Hawaii and $25,000.