GREELEY - The Greeley Chamber of Commerce Thursday named retiring Greeley-Evans School District 6 teacher Noel Johnston its Distinguished Teacher of the Year.

The honor was bestowed as part of the Chamber's Better Schools, Better Community awards banquet at the University of Northern Colorado University Center Ballroom. More than 300 educators, civic leaders and business people attended.

Johnston has taught for 37 years, including 31 years in the Greeley-Evans School District 6. He retires in May.

Runners-up for Distinguished Teacher of the Year were Cindy Compton of Trademark School and Mary Lacefield of Meeker Elementary School.

The Chamber also honored the Ehrlich Family of Dealerships as its Business Partner of the Year; Alan Miller of State Farm Insurance Cos. as its Education Volunteer of the Year; and Erica Cardenas as winner of the Ann K. Heiman Scholarship.

The Better Schools, Better Community program was launched by the Greeley Chamber in 2001 to provide community and business support for local schools.

For 2007, 37 public and private schools were teamed with 43 businesses, service clubs and public agencies.