AMARILLO, TX -- Amarillo teacher Josie Valdez has made it to the top five finalists for the Regis and Kelly Teacher of the Year award.  Valdez will be heading to New York on May 17, 2010, to appear on the show and spend a few days in the city before the winner is announced.

She teaches special education for all of Glenwood Elementary, and she says everything she does, is just about the students.

"I'm very excited, I'm overwhelmed for sure (laughs) I'm pretty low key person, so you know, but I'm real excited about it and I hope to bring back things I can show my students and teach my students," said Josie Valdez.

"I think it shows what a great school that we have in Amarillo and that our system really does meet the needs of individual children," said Brandy Self, the principal of Glenwood Elementary.

Valdez was in the top 10 before last night, but votes from viewers like you helped get her into the top five, and one step closer to the grand prize.