Trumann teacher Eddie Crain was recently named Teacher of the Year by the local Trumann Wal-Mart Supercenter. Crain is among more than 4,000 teachers being honored nationwide by Wal-Mart.

A Trumann native, Crain teaches seventh grade social studies. He has taught at Trumann High School for five years. He has also taught science courses there.

He graduated with honors from Trumann High School in 1980 and from Arkansas State University in 1987.

"I feel it is a great honor to have been recognized by Wal-Mart as their teacher of the year," he said. "I know that there are many teachers at THS much more deserving of this award. However, I appreciate the support of my past and present students, their parents, and my fellow teachers. The THS staff is a pleasure to serve and work with and they are quite an asset to the Trumann School District, I also appreciate Wal-Mart and their commitment to excellence in education."

Crain has been active in city politics for several years. He was appointed twice to the Trumann City Council and was also elected to two terms representing Ward 3. He was also appointed to the Trumann Planning and Zoning Commission by Mayor Bobby Ballard. He served ten years on the commission and also served as chairman of the commission.

He is not running for re-election to his Ward 3 seat on the City Council. He and his wife

plan to enroll in graduate school in October.

Crain was a member of the Trumann Lion's Club for several years. He served as membership chairman and flag program chairman for the club.

For the past two years, Crain has served as project director of the FASTRAX after- school program at THS.

Winning the Teacher of the Year award runs in the family. Crain's wife, Michelle Tucker Crain, has taught 19 years in the Trumann School District. She teaches seventh grade science and won the Teacher of the Year award several years ago. She was a THS 1982 honors graduate.

The Crain's have two children, Morgan, 17, a THS senior, and Tucker, 12, a seventh grader. The family attends Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro.

The Crain family are great supporters of the Trumann Wildcats as well as the Arkansas State University Red Wolves.

"Our area has fantastic teachers," said local Supercenter Manager Larry Rich. "We are pleased to honor Mr. Crain as the Teacher of the Year and to share this great news with our community."

The Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year program began in 1995. Since then, the Wal-Mart Foundation has honored more than 30,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $29 million to local schools. Last year more than $67 million was provided in support of educational initiatives.

One teacher is selected annually to receive the award. Teachers are selected by each Wal-Mart store, Sam's Club, Neighborhood Market store and Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Nominations are made by neighbors of the community during August and selected by a committee of Wal-Mart associates.