(Alton)--An Alton journalism and english teach is in the running to be National Teacher of the Year. The Illinois State Board of Education announced that Annice Brave from Alton High School is one of four finalists for the honor from the Council of Chief State School Officers. The board says it's been more than forty years since an Illinois teacher won the national award.

Brave has been a teacher for 23 years, and is currently the Illinois Teacher of the Year for 2011. The honor will be awarded in the spring.