Dara Feldman, a kindergarten teacher at Garrett Park Elementary School, was named Outstanding Elementary School Teacher at the annual Disney Teacher Awards.

Each year, Disney honors 45 exceptional teachers selected from more than 50,000 nominees. Six teachers receive top awards in specific categories such as elementary, middle, or high school teacher, and one of these finalists is selected 2005 Teacher of the Year.

Feldman was recognized for her “commitment to teaching results in a creative, high-tech kindergarten where children learn about the wonder--and sometimes the tragedy--of the world they live in.”

Feldman's classes communicate over the Internet with kindergarteners in other countries. This year, the exchange was with children in Malaysia, where the tsunami hit in December. According to Feldman, her students kept asking, “What can we do, how can we help?"

David Vixie, an 8th grade humanities teacher from Paradise, California, was named the overall 2005 Teacher of the Year at the awards ceremony. Vixie, who teaches at Paradise Adventist Academy, also won the award for Outstanding Middle School Teacher.

The Disney Teacher Awards is part of DisneyHand, worldwide outreach for The Walt Disney Company.