A Custer Middle School teacher has been named South Dakota's 2008 No Child Left Behind American Star of Teaching.

The surprise honor was announced early Thursday for Lisa Pingrey.

Pingrey has taught eventh- and eighth-grade science for nearly a decade.

She also started a math club, holds after-school sessions for students needing extra help and has arranged for a mobile science lab to be used in the school district.

Only one teacher in each state gets the American Star of Teaching award.

The awards program was started in 2004.