Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, recently announced that Sharon Newman from Emerald Cove Middle School has been named the local winner of the Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest. Newman was chosen from the Barnes & Noble store in Wellington. She was nominated by student Kaitlin Mackenzie.
Students were invited to nominate their favorite teacher by writing essays, poems or thank-you letters that explain how their teacher has influenced their life and reveal why they appreciate and admire him or her. Entries were judged on the compelling nature of the teacher’s qualities, the sincerity of the student’s appreciation, and the quality of expression and writing.
Newman will be recognized at an event at the Wellington Barnes & Noble. Mackenzie, who wrote the winning essay, will receive a certificate of recognition and will be honored at the Wellington store during the ceremony for the winning teacher.
Newman will now be entered into the regional competition, where five winners will be chosen. Each regional winner will receive a $500 Barnes & Noble gift card. From the pool of five regional winners, Barnes & Noble will name one teacher as the Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year.
The winning teacher will receive $5,000 and the title of Teacher of the Year. The winner will be recognized at a special community celebration at a local Barnes & Noble store. The winning teacher’s school will receive $5,000 as well.
The Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest provides students with the opportunity to tell their communities how much they appreciate their teachers. Students enrolled in middle or high schools in the United States are eligible to participate; and only educators employed by private or public elementary, middle or high schools are eligible to be nominated. More details on the contest rules can be found at www.bn.com/myfavoriteteacher.
