Her colleagues and third-grade pupils at Bower Hill Elementary School know she's special, and now the whole country does too, thanks to the national award presented to teacher Lora O'Brien last weekend.

Ms. O'Brien was selected as this year's Chasing Rainbows award winner and was presented with an all-expenses paid trip to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., where she received her award Friday, the first day of Kids Fest, an annual children's program sponsored by the park.

	Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette Bower Hill Elementary School teacher Lora O'Brien. Click photo for larger image.

The award is sponsored by the Dollywood Foundation, in conjunction with the National State Teacher of the Year program.

Country music star Dolly Parton, a native of Sevier County, Tenn., began the Dollywood Foundation in 1996 to distribute free books to children in her hometown and the surrounding areas.

As part of its efforts to promote literacy and education, the foundation began the Chasing Rainbows award in 2002, designed to honor one teacher a year who has overcome obstacles to inspire children and become an exemplary teacher, who enhances the public perception of teaching and who stresses empathy toward students.

Although she is not a teacher, Ms. Parton won the award the first year. Ms. O'Brien said it was a thrill to meet the petite "dynamo," and said she, her parents, sister, nieces and nephews had a great time at the park.

The group got the VIP treatment with early admittance into the park and enjoyed live performances, rides, shops and crafts.

When she saw the packet of information describing the award last year, Peters Middle School science teacher Cindy Ollendyke knew immediately that she would nominate her friend and colleague.

" 'This has your name written all over it,' I said," Ms. Ollendyke recalled.

She and Ms. O'Brien, both Peters Township School District teachers, were among 12 finalists last year for Pennsylvania's Teacher of the Year award.

As they were waiting for the name of the winner to be announced at a ceremony in Harrisburg last fall, they received packets of information, one of which included information about the Chasing Rainbows award.

At first, Ms. Ollendyke said her friend was a bit reticent about being nominated, but she eventually consented, and the process began, first with Ms. Ollendyke's 50-word nominating essay.

"This is a truly phenomenal person," said Ms. Ollendyke. "She is amazing.

"This is an award that honors teachers who inspire children, and Lora O'Brien is all that."

Ms. O'Brien also had to submit a five-part essay and letters of support from parents, teachers, colleagues and pupils.

A special committee within the foundation reviews the material and selects the winner. Ms. O'Brien was notified by phone on April 29 from a foundation representative that she was the winner.

"I was just shocked," she said.

Ms. O'Brien has worn a prosthetic device since the age of 15, when she developed cancer in her right calf muscle. Her leg was amputated above the knee and she underwent two years of chemotherapy.

"That will be 26 years next month, and everything has been fine since," Ms. O'Brien, 40, of Bethel Park, said.

In the classroom, Ms. O'Brien strives to show her pupils that each person has strengths and challenges, but that everyone has something to contribute.

"Her classroom is the epitome of acceptance and caring," Ms. Ollendyke said. "It's truly magic to watch her in the classroom."