Elizabeth Koski from Eden Bible Church in Beulah, Mich., was honored as the 2006 Sunday School Teacher of the Year on Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day yesterday.

Gospel Light, sponsor of Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day, awarded Koski as the top Sunday school teacher in America with a vacation for two to Hawaii and a commemorative plaque. Christian Tools of Affirmation, a partner of Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day, also provided gifts. Eden Bible Church received a $500 gift certificate from Gospel Light, redeemable for Sunday school and vacation Bible school curricula, teaching resources, books and videos from Gospel Light and Regal Books.

Koski, who has taught Sunday school for more than 20 years, currently teaches 2- and 3-year-olds. She incorporates bubbles, games, crafts, songs and snacks into her lessons each week. She also takes a personal interest in each of her children by attending birthday parties, ballet recitals and by comforting them when they have experienced an unexpected loss.

The first runner-up for this year's award was Sandy McGilvray of First Presbyterian Church of Boca Raton in Boca Raton, Fla. Additional finalists were: Mary Anne Barnes of Richardson East Church of Christ in Richardson, Texas; Shirley Caskey of Allen Street Baptist Church in Clinton, Mo.; Carolyn James of Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti, Mich.; Barbara McDowell of Anchor Baptist Church in Houston; Doris McLaren of Lexington Park Baptist Church in Lexington Park, Md.; John Nixon of West Cannon Baptist Church in Belmont, Mich.; Carol Stall of Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church in Tampa, Fla.