FARMINGTON – Fifth-grade teacher Rick Hardy gazed down at the $10,000 award check he plans to use to help his school.

Hardy, who was critically injured in January after a fall from a ladder onto his head, was recognized Monday as Wal-Mart’s Maine Teacher of the Year.

An educator for 31 years and a teacher at Cascade Brook School in Farmington, he received a standing ovation from students, teachers, company officials, family, friends and state, school and town leaders.

Everett Worchester, a representative of Phi Delta Kappa, recognized Hardy for his leadership in education and presented him with a free year membership to Phi Delta Kappa.

The Farmington man also received Wal-Mart’s local Teacher of the Year Award last spring.

Members of the sixth-grade Wicked Good chorus sang “For Good” from the Broadway Musical Wicked by Steven Schwartz.

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn. And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them and we help them in return. Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true. But I know I’m who I am today because I knew you,” students sang.

Student Hanna Maxie shared some facts of Hardy’s life including that he is a 1972 Mt. Blue High School graduate and a 1976 University of Maine at Farmington who did well academically and athletically.

Maxey said Hardy enjoys working with students.

“He finds something positive in all of us,” Maxey said.

State Rep. Janet Mills, D-Farmington, Rep. Tom Saviello, U-Wilton and Sen. Chandler Woodcock, R-Farmington, who was unable to attend, had a Legislative sentiment drawn up to recognize Hardy for being a role model in athletics, education and community and for his commitment to youth.

Town Manager Richard Davis said he had first-hand knowledge of the dedication to students teachers have because his mother was a public school teacher for 28 years.

“Good teachers, like Rick Hardy, influence us throughout our lifetime,” Davis said.

Hardy said he was “absolutely honored” to receive the award and said he, too, had teachers as role models who helped him decide he was going into education.

“Every teacher in this room, to me, is a teacher of the year. It takes us all…,” Hardy said.

After the ceremony, Hardy said he was doing OK.

“This is the best I’ve felt since the end of January,” he said. “I credit some of it to going back to school.”

Hardy had been fixing heat-tape on his roof when he fell from a ladder and injured his head in January. He was in the hospital for several months after he underwent surgery and rehabilitation.

He was smiling as he talked to students and friends as they left the ceremony Monday.

“I’m overwhelmed that anything like this could happen to me,” Hardy said of the award.

He plans to use some of the money to complete a trail system he started 14 years ago behind the school and would also like to have an outdoor classroom. He is asking other teachers what they might need for the school as well.

Prior to the ceremony, sixth-grade greeter Hannah Gibson, who had Hardy in the fourth-grade, said, “He is a very kind person. I’ve learned a lot from him.”