RALEIGH - Ask the fourth-graders in Ann Quarles' class at Powell Elementary School what makes her a great teacher and the youngsters excitedly talk over one another.

"She's fun."

"She encourages us."

"She gives us choices."

And they aren't the only ones who are impressed.

Quarles was recently named 2008 Teacher of the Year for Wake County. She was chosen from more than 100 teachers who were first nominated at their schools. The list was narrowed to 10 finalists. Candidates created portfolios, had their classrooms observed and were interviewed.

"I knew after five minutes of interviewing her I wanted to offer her a job," said Powell Principal Jimmy Sposato. "You could look into her eyes and sense the passion. I knew she'd be where she is today."

Quarles, 29, arrived in Wake County just two years ago. She spent much of her seven-year teaching career in Texas. Born to parents who were educators, Quarles knew early on her place was in the classroom.

There are photos of her as a child sternly giving her sister a talking to for not paying attention in her makeshift classroom in the family's garage.

A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Texas at Austin, Quarles joined the Teach for America program in 2001, which places graduates in public schools that need them most.

Although she had her eye on teaching high school students, Quarles was sent instead by the program to an elementary school. It was there that she found her niche and blossomed as a teacher. She claimed the school's Teacher of the Year award in Texas.

"I've been amazed. ... it's about figuring out how to make those concepts that I take for granted as an adult, like addition, and make those real for someone who is learning it for the first time," Quarles said. "Being able to give the kids a choice in how they learn gives them a sense of control, and they have to know that it's their choice to learn."

Quarles has been able to connect with her students because she comes up with new ways to teach them concepts. At Powell, a gifted-and-talented magnet school, Quarles often uses music and drama to help the students understand writing and math. One student noted she lets him pretend he's playing a guitar if he's stumped on a question. That way he can stumble through the problem as his fingers pretend to go up and down the strings on the guitar.

"Every day is a brand new day, and responding to the needs of the kids keeps me on my toes," she said. "It makes me a better teacher."

Inside her classroom, colorful charts of vocabulary words, fractions and sentences plaster the walls. They're easy targets the students can look at during the day for an extra boost.

"If we don't understand something she takes time with us even though she may have plans for the next day," 9-year-old Jalen Adams said.

Parents say Quarles has the ability to help all students in her classroom.

"Some teachers are focused on the kids who are behind. She focuses on all the kids," parent Steve Jenkins said.

On Friday, Quarles was showered with flowers, balloons and handmade posters congratulating her on the award. Many of the students wrote poems.

Her students crowded around her like a celebrity. They peppered her with questions. One student jokingly asked whether she would split her prize money with the class.

"Can you buy us pencils?" another student asked.

Walking down the hallway, students and teachers shook her hand and hugged her. One student appointed himself as Quarles' bodyguard. He tried to make sure she didn't get bombarded from well-wishers.

Quarles chuckled at the gesture.

Later in the morning, the school gathered in the auditorium for an assembly where teachers gave Quarles a crown and draped her in a purple queen's robe as Mariah Carey's "Hero" blared over the speakers. Everyone wore badges with Quarles' picture.

"This really is an award for our class, the staff and the school," Quarles said. "None of us are successful by ourselves."

By 10:30, Quarles was back to the business of teaching. After all, end-of-grade tests are next week.

Quarles' students plan to give her the best gift yet. They've pledged to do well on the test.