A Calico Rock teacher has been named the 2018 Arkansas Rural Education Association’s Teacher of the Year. Connie Moser teaches special education at the Calico Rock School District and received the crystal apple award and a check for $1,000 from the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. During a surprise event at the school announcing her selection, Moser received two standing ovations, according to a news release from the co-op. Teacher of the year nominations are vetted by the state’s 15 educational cooperatives which then submit a finalist for each educational cooperative district to the Rural Education Association for consideration. Moser, according to the release, was nominated through the North Central Arkansas Education Service Cooperative in Melbourne.