Teacher of the Year award nominations open

Nominations for the California 2005-2006 Teacher of the Year award are being accepted through March 1, announced award sponsor Response Insurance Company’s Teachers’ Insurance Plan, a car insurance program exclusively for members of the educational community.

The award will include $1,000 to the winning teacher and a $500 grant to that teacher’s school. The state winner will also be eligible for the National Award that includes a special recognition and a $2,500 travel certificate.

Last year’s state winner was Robert Rhoads, a second grade teacher at Conejo Valley Unified School in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Teachers, students and parents can nominate any of the state’s more than 350,000 accredited teachers. Nomination forms are available online at http://www.teachers.com/toty. To nominate an educator, or yourself, explain in 250 words or less why this teacher should be the Teacher of the Year. Nominees will be judged on their ability to motivate students, their special talents and their contribution to their school, students or educational community.

Winners will be announced at the end of the school year.