Larry Sweeney, math teacher at Clayton Middle School, said because he has always liked helping people, the teaching profession actually found him.

"I like helping people and I love helping kids learn," Sweeney said. "When I see a student who in the past has struggled with mathematics really begin to fly, and when I see them improve in both their abilities and their confidence, that makes it all worthwhile."

He has been in the classroom for 13 years, and eight of those years have been at Clayton.

"My job is to help them to be successful — when they come bouncing down the stairs and come into my room eager and ready to learn, that's my motivation," he said.

He said having the opportunity to teach all grades, six through 12, in the beginning of his career helped him realize where he was really meant to be: middle school. He said it is the most enjoyable age to teach.

"School is fun for them — they have a lot of energy, and the challenge is to channel that energy in a positive way," Sweeney said. "But the reward is that the middle school kid makes the most developmental changes during those two years that I have them than really any other age except for infancy, and I get to see that every year."

Clayton principal Rosemary Baron said Sweeney is a favorite among the students and is honest, hard-working and sincere.

"Students feel valued because he is honest and sincere with his interaction and with their achievements or lack of them," Baron said. "He is an exceptional human being and an exceptional teacher."