An Orange County educator can now officially call herself a "favorite teacher."

Twelfth-grade Newburgh student Jillian Vansickle admires her special education teacher, Jillian Page, so much that she wrote an essay into the Barnes & Noble "My Favorite Teacher" contest, and earned her teacher the top spot.

The winner of the contest was chosen based on the teacher's qualities, the student's sincerity and the overall writing of the essay.

Page says she's very humbled by the recognition. She is now in the running for Barnes & Noble's regional title and a $10,000 prize.

Half of the prize money would go to the Newburgh Preparatory Charter School.