It's magic!

Cherokee Technology Center agriculture teacher Bob Lail received a surprise visit Wednesday from the hosts of the T.K. and Monnie morning news show. Lail was featured in a regular radio segment called "Teachers Who Make Magic." Agriculture teacher Bob Lail became a teacher who makes magic at the Cherokee Technology Center.

Lail received surprise visits Wednesday morning from T.K. and Monnie Whitson, the morning show hosts at Magic 98.9 F.M.

He was featured Thursday at 7:10 a.m. in a "Teacher Who Makes Magic" feature on the radio station.

The popular radio segment recognizes teachers around the Upstate for their impact on the lives of students.

Lail worked as a prison guard for three years in North Carolina.

He spent several years managing a large cattle farm before he felt called to a teaching career.

Lail has been an agriculture teacher for 28 years. He has taught at Cherokee Technology Center since 1995.

Former Cherokee Technology Center student Caroline Black nominated Lail by filling out a form on the radio station's Web site.

"I am 22 now, but when I was in school Mr. Lail (who was my horticulture teacher), was always pointing kids in the right direction," Black wrote. "Anytime I would get in trouble at school he wouldn't judge me by what I did but tell me how I could make things better from the mistakes I made."

An All-American pitcher, Lail was inducted into the Gardner Webb Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993.

His office walls are filled with honors he has received.

The "Teacher Who Makes Magic Award" will stand out as one of his top awards.

"This award is one of the greatest honors I have ever received in my life because it came from a former student," Lail said. "I am thankful that I have been able to be a positive influence on my students. There are still good kids out there. You just have to take the time to work with young people and mold them."