Special Needs teacher John Mast was named as Bethany Christian Schools' 2007-08 teacher-of-the year at the school's annual awards ceremony on Friday, May 16.

Teachers are nominated by parents and students based on seven criteria that include teaching excellence, community and church involvement, and expressing care for individual students. A parent commented, "John meets students where they are and achieves that delicate balance of confronting students when necessary but gaining their respect and desiring them to meet their potential." In nominating John, students noted that John made class fun, made sure students understood what he was saying, puts in many hours behind-the-scenes in theater productions, is caring, and is highly respected."