A Delmarva Christian third-grade teacher received an unexpected classroom honor last month thanks to a local orthodontist dedicated to celebrating educators.

Dr. Jonathan Johnson of Johnson Orthodontics surprised Meadow Porter with a $200 Visa gift card after she was nominated by her student, Scarlett Nikkel, during a recent orthodontic visit.

Porter was selected through Johnson Orthodontics' ongoing Teacher Appreciation Fishbowl Contest, a quarterly drawing that invites patients to submit the name of a teacher who has made a meaningful impact on their lives.

The program, launched in 2017, was created as a way for the practice to give back to the school community.

"We spend the school year asking teachers to let students leave class for orthodontic appointments," said Johnson. "This is our way of saying thank you for the patience, care and influence they have on our patients every single day."

Each marking period, a new teacher's name is drawn from the fishbowl, and the honoree is surprised by a member of the Johnson Orthodontics team, continuing a tradition that has now recognized dozens of Sussex County educators. They look forward to announcing another winner in May during Teacher Appreciation Week.