INFORMATIONAL

 Virginia will participate in the 1997 National Teacher of
  the Year Award Program sponsored by the Council of Chief
  State School Officers (CCSSO) and Scholastic Inc.  The focus
  of the state and national program is to select and honor
  teachers who represent the best in teaching across the
  Commonwealth and nation.    
  
  Regional teachers will be selected and honored as Virginia's
  teachers of the year.  The teachers will represent the eight
  superintendents' study groups, with one of the eight being
  selected as Virginia's nominee in the national awards
  program.  It is anticipated that a savings bond made
  possible through monies donated by businesses in the state
  will be presented to each of the regional teachers of the
  year.  
  
  One teacher may be nominated from each school division.  The
  candidate should be a dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled
  teacher in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve, who is
  planning to continue in an active teaching status.  No
  teaching areas are excluded from participating.  The
  attached application packet outlines the selection criteria. 
  The names of nominees, with all materials prescribed in the
  packet, must be submitted to the Department on or before
  June 21, 1996.  
             
  Participation in the state Teacher of the Year program is an
  activity students, teachers, school boards, and parents in
  every community can share.  We hope that your school
  division will participate in this program.  If you have
  questions about the program, please contact Diane L. Jay at
  (804) 225-2905 or Patty S. Pitts at (804) 225-2098.  
  
  WCBJr/dlj
  
  Enclosure:   This memo and its attachment will be sent to
               the superintendent's office.

  cc:     Accredited Nonpublic Schools