PETA Launches Teacher of the Year Contest 2013

Group Marks Teacher Appreciation Month by Seeking Educator Who Best Gives Students Vital Lessons in Compassion for Animals

For Immediate Release:
May 1, 2013

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

Norfolk, Va. — We all can remember a teacher whose care and inspiration helped shape our lives. One of the most important lessons that kids can learn is showing compassion for others, including animals. That’s why TeachKind—PETA’s humane-education division—is launching its 2013 Teacher Appreciation contest just in time for Teacher Appreciation Month. Students, parents, school administrators, and anyone else who knows of a teacher who has gone above and beyond to help animals can submit a nomination simply by visiting PETA.org. The winner will receive a vegan food party for his or her class and a certificate of appreciation for being kind to animals.

“Teachers who use their influence to promote kindness and respect for others—including animals—deserve to be recognized,” says PETA Director of Youth Outreach and Campaigns Marta Holmberg. “With humane education, everyone benefits, because once children learn to respect other species, they’re more likely to extend compassion to their peers.”

Past winners have included a teacher from Kentucky for starting the Critter Club at her local animal shelter to teach children about animal welfare and how to treat animals kindly. Another winner, from Arizona, developed a program in her Spanish class to teach kids about greyhounds and how they suffer in the racing industry.

The TeachKind website allows teachers, administrators, and librarians to download free lesson plans or order free books and other resources.

Any teacher of grades K through 12 is eligible. Nominations will be accepted until May 19. The winner—who will be selected by TeachKind staff—will be announced and featured on both TeachKind’s and PETA’s respective websites during the last week of May.

For more information and to submit a nomination, please click here.