Nominate your favorite Mat-Su teacher

JOEL DAVIDSON/Frontiersman reporter

MAT-SU - Many people can look back on their childhood and remember one or two influential teachers who inspired them or took them under their wing. Most often, those teachers were unsung heroes, doing the little things behind the scenes to encourage and inspire their students.

While most teachers operate under the radar of media publicity, the BP Teachers of Excellence Program is a chance to sing their praises publicly. The program was developed in 1995 to recognize Alaskan educators for outstanding classroom performance and exceptional commitment to students. First pioneered in Anchorage and Fairbanks and later expanded to the Mat-Su and Kenai areas, the program is a cooperative effort between BP and four local school districts from the different regions.

Regional panels made up of representatives from the school districts, parent-teacher associations, education associations, student advisory groups, BP, and a local community member choose annual winners, which are announced in May, before the end of the school year. One teacher from each region is then named BP Teacher of the Year for their region.

According to BP, hundreds of teachers are nominated each year. In the 10 years the program has existed, 323 teachers have been honored.

Each Teacher of Excellence winner receives a commemorative plaque along with $500 for educational resources or continuing education. The overall regional winner receives a $1,500 scholarship for continuing education and a bronze sculpture commissioned by Alaska artist Mary Regat.

To nominate teachers, people

may visit http:alaska.bp.com/alaska/bpteachers/ or call 1-888-530-8962 to request a nomination form.

Contact Joel Davidson at joel.davidson@frontiersman.com.