In a surprise announcement by Secretary of Education Senior Adviser Norma Garza, the Rees Elementary School teacher was named Utah's No Child Left Behind 2006 American Star of Teaching.

American Stars are being awarded to one teacher in each state this fall.

"Teachers like Beyal never give up on a child," U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings said in a news release. "They believe every child - regardless of race, income or ZIP code - can achieve high standards in school."

Beyal has taught for more than 20 years and has worked with third- through fifth-graders at Rees Elementary. She is the director of Nebo School District's Artist in Residency program and a summer-school teacher with the Title VII Indian Education Program.

Some of her teaching methods are featured in a video produced by Brigham Young University.

"Brenda Beyal, through her hard work and dedication, is going to be honored as one of our nation's best and brightest teachers," said Rep. Chris Cannon, who was scheduled to attend Monday's presentation.

"I'm proud of her and every teacher in Utah for doing such a great job in a tough profession."

A committee of former teachers at the U.S. Department of Education selected the American Stars out of a pot of 4,000 nominations.

The American Stars of Teaching program began in 2004 as part of the federal Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative.