Local torchbearer among 5 US teachers chosen

BOSTON (WHDH) -- The Olympic torch was handed over to representatives of the London Olympic Games Thursday following a week-long relay in Greece.

Friday morning -- the Olympic torch was in the U.K. to begin an historic journey, over thousands of miles, ending at the Olympic stadium outside London.

Carrying the flame are some very lucky torchbearers, including one from right here in Boston.

The Olympic flame stands for peace, unity and friendship. It will make a 70-day journey around the United Kingdom carried by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers.

One of those lucky torchbearers will be Boston school teacher Sean Brooks.

“It’s probably one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had,” Brooks said. “It’s really exciting. I feel really reward and appreciated.”

The 36-year-old was chosen from among thousands of applicants, after being nominated by teach plus Boston.

Sean, a UMass graduate, teaches English as a second language at Dever Elementary in Dorchester. He's also quite an athlete.

“I’m a runner,” he said. “I’ve run, I think, 11 marathons, seven Bostons.”

The torch relay will travel a total of 8,000 miles before arriving at the Olympic stadium in London. Sean will get his moment to shine about half way through the journey -- on June 14 -- in Dalkeith, Scotland.

“We'll be flying to Edinburgh, spend a few days with a group of educators. The actual run will be in a village about 30 minutes outside of Edinburgh,” Brooks said.

Sean is excited to be just one of five American teachers chosen to represent the u-s in the torch relay. He's also excited to be a tourist.

“I’m gonna take advantage of seeing some of the highland of Scotland, I’ve never been in that part of the U.K. so I’m excited to do some tourist things,” he said. “Then I fly back and have one more week of school left; the year’s gonna end on a great note this year.”