Washington Junior High School Teacher Nominated for Award

DES MOINES, IA (09/01/2009)(readMedia)-- Michael Zahs, a Washington Junior High School teacher was nominated for the 2010 National Education Association (NEA) Foundation Awards for Teaching Excellence. The awards recognize, reward, and promote excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession and honor public education and the dedicated members of the NEA. The awards are presented jointly by the NEA Foundation and the National Education Association with support from NEA Member Benefits and the Horace Mann Companies.

Each state affiliate can select a single nominee to submit to the NEA Foundation based on a set of guidelines. A national selection panel then chooses up to 10 semifinalists from among the many state affiliate awardees to move on to the next round. Panelists include those appointed by the NEA President and the Chair of the NEA Foundation Board of Directors, as well as national awardees from previous years.

"It's a huge honor just to be selected for this award," said Chris Bern, president of the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). "Michael's work in the school and in the community is phenomenal. He is really the embodiment of what teaching and learning is all about. He has managed to bring his classes and his field of expertise - state history alive for his students in such a way that they will remember it for the rest of their lives and can forever be proud of their heritage. Truly Michael is a national treasure here in Iowa and in the Washington school district." Bern added.

Nominations are judged according to five criteria: professional practice; advocacy for the profession; community engagement; leadership in professional development; and attention to diversity. All awardees receive expense-paid travel to the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala in Washington, DC, February 12, 2010. The winner receives $25,000 in cash and a commemorative gift. The four finalists receive $10,000 in cash.

Zahs was nominated but did not win the award. He and his family will participate in the Salute to Excellence in Education Gala as guests and will be honored for Michael's nomination from Iowa.

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The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality public education for all Iowa students. Great Education....It's an Iowa Basic!