11/1/2012 4:30:00 AMCrystal Apple Award nomination opens

The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is filled with excellent teachers, and every student probably has a favorite – a teacher who has gone above and beyond expectations to make their students’ education come alive in the classroom.

Is your favorite teacher an educator who has inspired, motivated or challenged you to realize your potential?  If so, here’s your chance to nominate your teacher for The Plain Dealer Crystal Apple Award, which honors educators for excellence in the classroom.

The Plain Dealer News In Education Department will be accepting nominations for its 22nd annual Crystal Apple contest during four recognition periods.

To be nominated, a teacher must teach full time in grades K-12 in a school within the newspaper’s seven-county distribution area (Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Portage, Summit, Medina and Lorain counties).

Students are required to write a 175-35 word essay that outlines why they feel their teacher is deserving of the Crystal Apple award.  All non-winning nomination letters will be mailed to the teacher, along with a letter from president and publisher Terrance C.Z. Egger.

Teacher Felina Rivera at Tremont Montessori school was one of the winners in 2011-12.  

Visit nie.plaindealer.com to nominate your favorite teacher.