Libertyville teacher named kids' favorite by Barnes & Noble
Kathleen Lewis from Copeland Manor School in Libertyville District 70 has been named the local winner of the “Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest.”
Lewis is a fifth-grade teacher who teaches social studies, reading and language arts. Nominated by Emily Hilldale, Lewis was chosen from more than 60 nominated teachers at the Barnes & Noble, 720 Hawthorn Center, Vernon Hills.
Students were invited to write essays, poems or thank you letters that share how their teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire their teacher.
Entries were judged on the compelling nature of the teacher's qualities, the sincerity of the student's appreciation and the quality of expression and writing.
The judging panel included Seleena Kuester, who represented the Lake County Discovery Museum, and Ellina Kushnir, who represented the Lake County United Way.
Lewis was recognized at an event at the Vernon Hills Barnes & Noble, where she received a special award acknowledging her achievement, a set of 10 Sterling Children's Classics books for her personal or classroom library, and additional recognition and praise from the community.
Hilldale, who wrote the winning essay, received a certificate of recognition and also was honored at the ceremony.
Lewis will now be entered into the regional competition, where six winners will be chosen. Each regional winner will receive a NOOKcolor™ e-book Reader and a $500 Barnes & Noble Gift Card.
One teacher will be named from the pool of six regional winners as “Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year.” The winner will receive $5,000, the title of “My Favorite Teacher” and be recognized at a special community celebration at a Barnes & Noble store.
The winning teacher's school will receive $5,000 and a visit from Laurie Halse Anderson, a best-selling New York Times author who writes for kids of all ages.
The winner will also receive five copies of the winning essay published in hardcover by Tikatok.com, the site where students create and publish their own books, and a $250 Tikatok Gift Card that will allow the teacher to publish select stories.