For the past few years, The Vicksburg Post and the Vicksburg-Warren County Chamber of Commerce have partnered to share the stories of the teachers nominated for the annual Teacher of the Year awards.

With each story and photograph, with each quote and credential, we are constantly impressed, amazed and thrilled at the quality of teachers our schools — both public and private — are blessed with.

From teachers who are in their second or third year of teaching, to those who are in their third or fourth decade, there is a similar thread that connects them all. It is their passion and their commitment to the children in their care.

Regardless of the grades they teach or the subjects in which they specialize, each has not only earned the respect of their peers and administrators to be nominated but through their stories, they have also earned the respect of the community.

As each of these stories has been published in the newspaper, online and shared on social media, we have seen just how much the dedication each of these teachers has had an impact on their students and their parents.

We have seen stories shared hundreds of times on Facebook and retweeted on Twitter. We have read comment after comment from parents saying how much this teacher or that teacher meant to their children and in some cases, how much they wish their children were still in their classroom.

This year, The Post is sharing the stories of 21 amazing educators, but they will even tell you that they are but just a few of the amazing teachers that our public and private schools have in the classroom each day.

As we have said before, and as some of the teachers have said themselves in their applications, teaching is far more than a job, it is a calling. And for those who do the job well, their work stands out and the impact they have on our community’s most precious commodity — our children — is beyond measure.

We appreciate the partnership with the Chamber in telling these stories, but appreciate even more the teachers and their willingness to have their stories shared.