"It's incredible to think about the number of people who have benefited from the McGlothlin Awards over the past 10 years," said James Baum, Blue Ridge PBS President and CEO. "By honoring the best teachers in our region, the McGlothlin Foundation has touched the lives of thousands, not just individual students, but the students' families and the broader community."

Blue Ridge PBS has administered the McGlothlin Awards since its inception. The awards, which are among the largest teaching prizes in the United States, are given annually by the McGlothlin Foundation of Bristol, Va. Only teachers in selected portions of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky are eligible. Two winning teachers, one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12, must use $10,000 of the $25,000 award for international travel. The goal of the travel experience is to broaden the thinking and experience of the winning teachers, and to further enhance their excellence as professional educators.

Lester, a first grade teacher, is described as consistent, personable, hard working and effective. She is a true professional who takes every child to a higher level. Lester plans to use the award money to travel to England and Ireland, an experience she thinks will translate into lessons for her students. She will bring back first-hand information on the people, land and special attractions that make these countries unique.

Bridges, a sixth grade science teacher, impressed McGlothlin Award judges with her ability to engage students through hands-on learning, community service projects and experiential activities. She wants to use the award money to travel to Africa where she would help underprivileged children with literacy, numeracy, computer skills and conservation science.

Lester, Bridges and the other McGlothlin Award applicants were judged by a distinguished group of regional college faculty, educational division administrators and other professionals who volunteer their time and expertise. Criteria include a teacher's ability to promote a high level of student achievement, to "bring the world to the classroom" through the travel component, and to inspire the desire to learn in students, other educators and the community.

Four McGlothlin finalists were each presented with a trophy and a check for $1,000. Finalists were Rebecca Boone, Troutville Elementary, Botetourt County Public Schools, Va., Teresa Hash, Marion Intermediate, Smyth County Public Schools, Va., Mary Slone, South Floyd High, Floyd County Public Schools, Ky., and Erin Wigginton, Pulaski County High, Pulaski County Public Schools, Va.
 

 "The McGlothlin Foundation's goal is for the awards to inspire recipients, their students, their peers, and indeed, their entire school. It is our intent to find the best teachers in today's classrooms around our region. We want to recognize their fine work, reward them for it, and by so doing inspire others to the high qualities they exemplify. Certainly, this award will recognize in a rather significant way what we consider one of the most important professions-and one with so many unsung heroes."
 

The McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence

• The Awards' Purpose

• Who Is Eligible

• History

• The Judges

• How to Apply

• What the Judges Will Be Evaluating

• Timeline Summary

• Application (in a printable PDF file)

Special thanks go to Tom McGlothlin and the McGlothlin Foundation for making this important recognition of teaching excellence possible. The McGlothlin Awards for Teaching Excellence are administered by Blue Ridge PBS's Education Services Department.