Kearney selected as Rays' All-Star Teacher

ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays announced on Tuesday that Alison Kearney is their "All-Star Teacher" winner in the Target presents PEOPLE campaign.

The campaign celebrates teachers, active or retired, who have made remarkable impacts on their students' lives and on their communities.

Kearney, from Bonita Springs (Fla.) Charter School, has been teaching for five years, and has become one of the most successful and loved teachers at the school. She teaches reading and language arts, with an advanced class, an intensive class and an on-level class.

Kearney also coaches the school's girls volleyball team. She loves running and sports -- and is a Rays fan -- and tries to inspire students to lead healthy lives at home.

Kearney will join one winner representing each of the 30 MLB clubs during the All-Star Week activities, and will be recognized during the pregame ceremony at the 85th All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 15 at Target Field.

Fans nationwide voted to select the 30 winners from a pool of 90 finalists. The PEOPLE All-Star Teachers program is part of an effort to celebrate teachers and raise awareness about the importance of education.