DATELINE - Matthew M. Sears, a math teacher at Hillside New Tech High School this week was named the 2008 SunTrust Gold Star Teacher of the Year for Durham Public Schools.

Sears is in his first year of teaching at Hillside New Tech, which opened last fall. Previously he taught advanced math at the traditional Hillside High School for three years. Sears also is a Kenan Fellow, participating in a two-year fellowship in curriculum design and leadership development through N.C. State University. And next fall he will spend a semester in India as part of the Fulbright exchange program.

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