Anthony Orza

Talk about getting the royal treatment.

For a Spanish teacher of nearly 40 years, it simply doesn't get any better than this — recognition from King Juan Carlos of Spain.

Surrounded by 400 friends, colleagues, family members, students and former students, Anthony Orza received one of Spain's highest honors, the Civil Merit Order, presented by Spain General Consul Fernando Villalonga at a special ceremony at Rhinebeck High School.

"Education is the story of love," Villalonga told Orza as he pinned the medal on his chest. "To educate is to transmit a culture's values from generation to generation and that's why we are here."

The award was established in 1926 to recognize extraordinary foreigners whose accomplishments have benefited Spain. It has previously honored luminaries in the arts, but this is the first time it has been presented to a public high school teacher.

"I was humbled beyond belief," said Orza, a self-described Italian kid from the Bronx who has spent the last 37 years teaching Spanish to Rhinebeck students.

"Two weeks ago, if you Googled my name, you got nothing," Orza said. "Now you get links to YouTube, interviews with my students and scenes from my classroom on Spanish television."

The Spanish government first became aware of Orza's teaching accomplishments in 2009 because his story was featured in the nonfiction book One Hundred Miles from Manhattan, by Spanish journalist Guillermo Fesser.

The book, which became a bestseller in Spain, offers Fesser's unusual perspective on life in the United States via profiles of seemingly "ordinary" people he met while living in Rhinebeck, a small village north of Poughkeepsie in Dutchess County.

One of his profiles was about the passionate teacher in Rhinebeck whose life was dedicated to passing on his love of the Spanish language.

"Guillermo married a girl from Rhinebeck, so he visited frequently," Orza said. "He'd chat up my kids in the village and was always impressed that they spoke such beautful Castilian Spanish and knew so much about his culture."

Fesser, something of a celebrity in Spain, gave Orza a copy of his book with the inscription, "Thank you for everything you do to promote my language and my culture."

Señor Orza came to Rhinebeck 37 years ago after brief stints at Onteora schools and Ulster County Community College. He's been the one-man Spanish department at Rhinebeck schools, teaching students from middle level all the way to AP Spanish. He's proud to say his students average 4.5 out of 5 on the Advanced Placement tests administered by The College Board.

"It's a vocation for me, not just a job," said Orza. His wife, Paula, recently retired after teaching Spanish in Kingston. "I try to make it interesting and relevant. We don't just do the verbs."

He also tries to pass on his love for the culture and the Spanish people. Every other year he takes a group of 20 to 25 students for a five-week tour of Spain that includes palaces in Granada and bullfights in Madrid. His tour usually includes a stop at Fesser's home in Spain.

Rhinebeck TA President Susan VanVlack said the medal ceremony was a touching tribute to Orza. It included students from three decades ago, who came from as far as Florida.

A reception followed, complete with flamenco dancers and even videotaped tributes from singer Paloma San Basillo and actor Antonio Banderas. Orza often plays San Basillo's music and shows Banderas' films in class.

"For me his story is a story of home," Fesser told reporters at the ceremony. "Teachers mean a lot to many people, and this is a tribute to a very good one."

It's a perfect way for Orza to finish his extraordinary teaching career. The 62-year-old is set to retire next year.

"This is, without a doubt, my proudest moment," Orza said. "I feel like I should be retiring now after such a big bang."