The devastated family of Ann Maguire, the teacher brutally stabbed to death in her classroom, have described her as their "shining light".
They released the heartbreaking tribute as a 15-year-old boy was due appear in court charged with her murder.
The Spanish teacher, 61, a mother of two daughters, was months away from retiring after working at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds for more than 40 years when she was stabbed in front of pupils on Monday morning.
In a statement released through West Yorkshire Police, her family said: "Our beautiful Ann, our shining light, she
brightened the world for so many of us.
"A loving wife, the best mother, a treasured sister, a true friend. This horrific happening has robbed us of all of this and so much more. We are devastated. Her selfless, genuine, caring nature will remain with us eternally.
"We are overwhelmed by the support, sympathy and kind tributes we have received, they have been a source of great comfort at this dark time.
"We would ask the media to kindly respect the privacy of family and friends in the coming weeks and months.
"Ann we will love you always, your loving family."
Floral tributes have been left outside the school where Ann Maguire was killed
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced last night that the teenager had been charged with Mrs Maguire's murder after he was arrested and interviewed under caution by police on Monday.
The boy will first appear at Leeds Youth Court today and at Leeds Crown Court for a bail hearing tomorrow, the CPS said.
Mrs Maguire's death is the first time a teacher has been stabbed to death in a British classroom, and the first killing of a teacher in a school since the 1996 Dunblane massacre.
Teacher stabbed in Leeds
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(01 of49)
Tributes are pictured outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England on April 29, 2014, following the fatal stabbing of Spanish teacher Anne Maguire by a pupil Monday. Police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school in Britain on Monday. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(02 of49)
Tributes are pictured outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England on April 29, 2014, following the fatal stabbing of Spanish teacher Anne Maguire by a pupil Monday. Police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school in Britain on Monday. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
BRITAIN-EDUCATION-CRIME-DEATH(03 of49)
Floral tributes and a picture of murdered Spanish teacher Anne Maguire (Seated Top L) are left outside Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England, on April 29, 2014. British police arrested a 15-year-old male pupil after a female teacher was stabbed to death at a Catholic school Monday in a rare attack on educational staff. Anne Maguire, a 61-year-old Spanish teacher, suffered multiple stab wounds in the incident which was witnessed by other children at Corpus Christi Catholic College in Leeds, northern England. AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(04 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community light candles as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(05 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community light candles as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(06 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local embrace as the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(07 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(08 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(09 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(10 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(11 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: People hold a copy of the Corpus Christi School Prayer as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(12 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Members of the local community sign a book of condolence as they attend a mass at Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(13 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Mass Held To Remember Fatally Stabbed Teacher Anne Maguire(14 of49)
LEEDS, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Monsignor Paul Fisher conducts mass for members of the local community attending Corpus Christ Catholic Church to pray and pay their respects to teacher Anne Maguire on April 29, 2014 in Leeds, England. A fifteen year old male student has been arrested in connection with the death of teacher Anne Maguire who was fatally stabbed yesterday during lessons at Corpus Christi Catholic Catholic College. (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(15 of49)
Messages and floral tributes including a photograph of Anne Maguire outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(16 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(17 of49)
An exterior of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(18 of49)
An exterior of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(19 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(20 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(21 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(22 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(23 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(24 of49)
A woman arrives to lay flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(25 of49)
People comfort each other outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(26 of49)
RETRANSMITTED CORRECTING BYLINE. Two nuns comfort a member of the public outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(27 of49)
Messages and floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(28 of49)
People lay floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(29 of49)
Floral tributes left outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(30 of49)
A woman grieves outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(31 of49)
Messages and floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(32 of49)
Two nuns comfort a member of the public outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(33 of49)
People look at the floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(34 of49)
People look at the floral tributes outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(35 of49)
A nun lights a candle at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Leeds next to the college where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(36 of49)
A nun comforts people outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(37 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(38 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(39 of49)
Nichola Davies, 34, a former pupil who drove from Goole to lay flowers at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(40 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(41 of49)
Nun's from Corpus Christi Catholic Church which is next Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(42 of49)
A man lays flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(43 of49)
A woman lays flowers outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(44 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(45 of49)
A boy with his head against railings outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(46 of49)
Flowers are left at Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(47 of49)
Police stand outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(48 of49)
The badge of Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)
Teacher stabbed in Leeds(49 of49)
Police outside Corpus Christi Catholic College, Neville Road, Leeds, where a 15-year-old boy has been arrested after a woman teacher was stabbed to death at the school. (credit:PA)