Phyllis Copeland of Barger Academy of Fine Arts, Lorrie Holland, Loftis Middle School; and Neshawn Calloway of the Center for Creative Arts have been named 2013 Hamilton County Department of Education Teachers of the Year.

The three honorees are now in competition on the regional level, a news release said.

The honored teachers and their principals will be saluted on Friday at a luncheon to be held at the Broad Street Grill at The Chattanoogan hotel. That luncheon will be from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

"It is very special when we honor outstanding teachers for their dedication to our students," Stacey Roddy, diector of elementary math and science, said. "The greatest asset any school system can have is outstanding teachers."

"We know from research that teacher effectiveness is directly related to improving student achievement. These three teachers have dedicated themselves to the success of their students and they deserve this recognition and so much more."