LOCAL TEACHER WINS NATIONAL "GREAT AMERICAN TEACH-OFF" CONTEST
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GALLOWAY TWP. -- It started with hundreds of nominees from across the nation, but when the voting was all said and done, it came down to one winner, and we're happy to say she's one of South Jersey's own.

Over the last few weeks we've followed the journey of Roland Rogers 3rd grade teacher Terry Doughery, who was chosen as a finalist in the Great American Teach Off. Wednesday morning, at a special surprise assembly with her students, she learned that her program to offer free tutoring to children in military families helped her earn the top prize of ten thousand dollars for her classroom.

"I'm just totally shocked. I didn't think it was gonna happen today and all so i'm really surprised," said Doughterty.

Dougherty hopes to use the money to create a mobile technology lab for those deployed and those across the country. Doughtery is no stranger to the military life herself. Her husband retired three years ago after "thirty years" of active duty.