TRUCKEE, Calif. andamp;#8212; On Monday, June 18, special education teacher Lisa Furr was selected as the 2012 Truckee Hometown Sears-Sierra Sun Teacher of the Year.Charles Riley, owner of Hometown Sears, and Michael Gelbman, publisher of the Sierra Sun, surprised Furr with the news in her classroom Monday morning. In addition to a previously received gift certificate to Truckee Hometown Sears, Furr was awarded a dinner party for six donated by Cottonwood Restaurant.andamp;#8220;We were delighted to recognize an amazing teacher who has not only strengthened her students, but the community as a whole,andamp;#8221; said Riley.Furr has been working with Truckee Special Education students for the past 16 years. She helped develop the Transition Program, which she currently teaches. The Transition Program is meant to bridge the gap from high school to adult life, working and living in the community for students in the special education program. Furr teaches students academic content and life skills to help them succeed after high school.Furr was nominated for the Teacher of the Year award by colleagues, parents and students. Students shared how the life skills taught by Furr have had a lasting impact.andamp;#8220;I take (public transportation) to all my appointments and things,andamp;#8221; wrote one student. andamp;#8220;It makes me feel so independent.andamp;#8221;Furr began working in the Tahoe area in 1996 after attending Fresno and San Francisco state colleges and working in Los Altos and Santa Rosa. Since coming to Truckee, Furr has devoted her time and efforts to helping students in the special education program become active, involved members of the community. In addition to teaching students life skills that help them access community resources, Furr also helps her students find ways to give back to the community.andamp;#8220;Lisa Furr’s Transitional Class comes to help with the lunch program for Sierra Senior Services,andamp;#8221; wrote one nominator. andamp;#8220;The students come in happy and eager to help wherever they can and learn something new.andamp;#8221;Furr’s ability to collaborate with multiple community partners was praised by nominators and the Teacher of the Year selection committee. andamp;#8220;It was great to hear of multiple community organizations and companies working to support Truckee students,andamp;#8221; Riley said. andamp;#8220;We hope this will encourage others to get involved and find ways to support the work teachers are doing in the community.andamp;#8221;Upon receiving the news of the Teacher of the Year award, Furr was excited to hear she had been selected as this year’s winner and acknowledged all the great teachers in North Lake Tahoe.andamp;#8220;It is a real honor to be selected,andamp;#8221; said Furr. andamp;#8220;With so many wonderful teachers in the district I don’t know how you picked one. I feel honored to be part of the Truckee High School Staff and one of so many great teachers in the district.andamp;#8221;On all, seven teachers were selected as Teacher of the Year finalists and spotlighted this year in the Sierra Sun. Finalists represented Glenshire Elementary School, Truckee Elementary School, Donner Trail Elementary School, Alder Creek Middle School, North Tahoe School and Truckee High School.