Three teachers from the Metrocom area are among 20 distinguished educators to receive formal recognition of their performance in the classroom from Trinity University.

The local educators chosen as finalists for the 2008 Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching are:

• Julia Blair Battle, classroom vocal music teacher, Hartman Elementary School.

• Shermane Charles, kindergarten teacher, Paschal Elementary School.

• Bethany Johanson, English I teacher, Randolph High School.

The 20 educators will be honored at a reception at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the Great Hall of the Chapman Center located on the Trinity campus. The university sponsors the award along with the H-E-B Grocery Co. and the San Antonio Express-News.

The distinguished educators were nominated by area school districts for their commitment and passion to education. Among the criteria for inclusion on the list is outstanding classroom performance, leadership in the school and school district, leadership in the education profession, and outstanding community service.

This year’s event marks the 27th year of the Trinity Prize, which was instituted by the University’s department of education to honor and recognize truly outstanding public school teachers in the greater San Antonio area.

A panel of San Antonio business and community leaders will select the winners along with two outstanding Trinity education seniors, Anna Grossman and Alexander Wallender. Each student is a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in May and each plans to pursue a master’s degree in teaching to be awarded in May 2009.

The winners of the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching will be recognized at a May 2 ceremony in Parker Chapel at Trinity.

During the ceremony, the 2007 National Teacher of the Year, Andrea Peterson, music teacher at Monte Cristo Elementary School in Granite Falls, Wash., will deliver the Kappa Delta Pi lecture for outstanding educators.