Wiping tears from his eyes during Napa County Superintendent of Schools Barbara Nemko’s speech, Vintage High School teacher Mark Teeters accepted an award from the Napa County Office of Education and certificates from representatives of Rep. Mike Thompson, D- St. Helena, and state Sen. Patricia Wiggins, D-Santa Rosa.

To thunderous applause and cheering, the audience welcomed Teeters to a podium as the 2009 Napa County Teacher of the Year.

“Love you!” shouted a student from the crowd, as Teeters acknowledged, overcome with emotion.

In a lively departure from the routine, Tuesday’s Napa County Office of Education board meeting boasted a choral show and celebration in honor of Teeters, director of choral activities at Vintage High School.

He was tapped for the honor from a pool of 89 nominees who also teach in Napa County.

The event drew some 200 people to Vintage High’s theater Tuesday — where finalists Sherry Bosson, a third-grade teacher at Donaldson Way School, and Sandy Haroutunian, a special education teacher at Vintage — were also honored. Sponsored by the Napa County Office of Education, the Teacher of the Year contest was launched in California in 1972, said NCOE Curriculum Coordinator Seana Wagner.

“When I think about what (Teeters) does in a year, it staggers my imagination,” Napa County Office of Education Superintendent Barbara Nemko said, adding that in addition to his teaching duties, Teeters is also engaged in other time-demanding endeavors such as directing a high school musical every two years and leading a church choir.

“I am so honored to be your 2009 Napa County Teacher of the Year,” Teeters said, taking his place on-stage to address the crowd. “Of course, I didn’t get to be Teacher of the Year all by myself,” he said, thanking school officials including Vintage principal Eric Schneider, who can sing an impressive rendition of Smokey Robinson’s “My Girl,” Teeters quipped.

Teeters also gave a shout out to Liz Amendola, piano accompanist for Vintage choirs.

“We wouldn’t be half as strong today if she weren’t with us and it wouldn’t be half as fun,” he said.

Teeters later conducted Vintage’s chamber and concert choirs in song, when some 70 students sang “Bring on Tomorrow,” surrounding the stage and theater aisles.

Students then took Teeters by surprise with an enormous banner featuring dozens of student-written letters and reading “Mr. Teeters, we love you” before the young group sang “Seasons of Love” to their teacher.

Teeters’ parents, Fred and Carol Teeters, joined his sisters, Amy Smith and Leslie Montaro, at the event.

“I’m so proud. It’s so nice to have other people see what I see in my son,” said Carol Teeters.

“I never cease to be amazed of how much he gets from his students,” said Fred Teeters. “It’s hard to imagine my little boy doing that.”

Andrew Starmer, a 17-year-old senior at Vintage, raised his fist to his heart while describing Teeters.

“I just think he’s the most caring and supportive teacher you can have. He’ll always be there for you. ... I love him,” Starmer said.

Vintage graduate Leonides Alvarez, 18, said Teeters inspired her to pursue a future career as a music conductor. “Through my high school career, he supported me through good times and bad times. ... He’s my mentor and my friend and I love him to death,” she said.

For his part, Teeters said it can be difficult at the year’s end, when he has to say good-bye to some of his students.

“It’s emotional for me, but I’m getting better about when they graduate. ... I just want to share my award with my students,” he said.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated Mr. Teeters' first name