Hillcrest School’s older students jumped to their feet to show their gratitude with a standing ovation .

Right away third-grade teacher Kathy Farwell couldn’t get past the shock of hearing her named called at an assembly this morning as she walked in front of the students in the gymnasium.

When she saw the oversized $1,000 check with her name on it from Wal-Mart, her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth.

Store manager Scott Matchell and assistant manager Sarah Zink presented Farwell this morning with a local Teacher of the Year Award.

Farwell, who organizes Hillcrest’s science fair and has taught there for eight years, will leave the school for another teaching job in Lawrence next year.

She gave credit to her students and the school’s two other third-grade teachers, Jan Green and Angie Webb.

“It pretty much is a three-person award,” Farwell said.

Wal-Mart and Frito Lay will also donate a computer to the school for students to use.

Letters that nominated her described Farwell as going “above and beyond” for students and parents in and out of the classroom.

“With that amazing support I guess this individual is obviously deserving,” said Matchell, who manages the store at 3300 Iowa.