Hanging from the wall next to Joey Chavez's desk, in his office at Santa Fe High School, is a poster that reads, "Yes! You can always do more."

Intermittently placed throughout the Santa Fe High theater are signs that echo this motto, serving as a reminder to go above and beyond what is expected of him as a teacher. In many ways, this simple phrase captures the dedication and passion exhibited daily by some of Santa Fe's best public-school teachers. This year, Chavez was recognized for his exceptional work as a drama teacher.

Seven public-school teachers received the Teachers Who Inspire Award, a bestowal of $1,000 each given annually by Santa Fe Partners in Education. Nominated by their peers to receive the honor, recipients are not notified of the award until the moment they receive it during a surprise assembly.

"I was totally surprised. I had no idea," Chavez said. "People started showing up, like a photographer. When my wife and son walked in the door, I knew something was up."

Chavez, who has taught drama at Santa Fe High since 1996, is this year's winner of the Noah C. Rodriguez Award for Excellence in Teaching, the top prize given by Partners in Education. The award assembly was held during his second-period class May 15 at the Santa Fe High School Performing Arts Center, where family and friends were present to congratulate him on his achievement.

In his career as a public-school educator, Chavez has continuously held high expectations for himself, which inspired him to come up with the motto, "Yes! You can always do more." It has allowed him to approach each student as an individual, he says. "I have a love for what I do, which is theater," Chavez said. "And I think that translates down to the students as well — that I would like to do the best job that I possibly can and still have a good time."

For 17 years, Partners in Education has been recognizing the accomplishments of Santa Fe's best teachers with the Teachers Who Inspire Award. This year, the award was funded by an anonymous donor; donor Phyllis Newcomer; and the Santa Fe Community Foundation. Altogether, 107 Santa Fe teachers have received the award since it was created.

By distinguishing teachers, Partners in Education Executive Director Ruthanne Greeley hopes to make the Santa Fe community aware of the city's most outstanding public-school teachers.

"Rarely do teachers get the recognition they deserve for a job well done," Greeley said. "A lot of people in the community don't realize how many great teachers there are in the public-school system. All who get this are the teachers who go above and beyond in every possible way."

Mary Olson, an art teacher at Wood Gormley Elementary, was also among those who received this year's award. Olson was equally as shocked to learn of her award. During a school assembly, Partners in Education members began reading aloud her qualities without revealing her name. Finally, they credited her with organizing the school's art night and her husband and son appeared. In a phone interview, she described the event as a source of encouragement.

"I felt more appreciated than ever before. Teachers work so hard and just having this kind of award — it's huge!" said Olson, an educator in Santa Fe for 26 years.

Olson says her inspiration to teach art to children spawns from her extreme enthusiasm, and of course, her creativity. "I bring my enthusiasm ever day to the classroom," she said. "I'm a very enthusiastic teacher. It is what inspires me to be creative with students, and to enjoy what I do."

Other recipients of this year's award included Linda Archibald of Turquoise Trail Elementary, William Korte of Ortiz Middle School, Nancy Sue Michels of Monte del Sol Charter School, Deanne Velasquez of Chaparral Elementary and Channell Wilson-Segura of Capital High School. Wilson-Segura was the winner of a $500 award for a teacher with less than three years of experience, funded by Phyllis Newcomer.

Greeley emphasized the importance of recognizing teachers like Chavez and Olson. Although we rarely see them in the limelight, they are extremely influential in shaping the minds of future generations. "That's why we keep doing it. We want to get the word out that these are the unsung heroes," Greeley said. "They're teaching the future of Santa Fe."