papa john's teacher appreciation essay contest

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, 8 essays from educators who raised their voices this year

Teachers are often on the front lines of national conversations, kickstarting discussions that their students or communities need to have.

They also add their own voices to debates that would be less meaningful without them.

This year, as we mark Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re sharing some of the educator perspectives that we’ve published in our First Person section over the last year. Many thanks to the teachers who raised their voices in these essays. Want to help us elevate the voices of even more educators? Make a donation in support of our nonprofit journalism and you’ll have the option to honor an important educator in your life.

If you’d like to contribute your own personal essay to Chalkbeat, please email us at [email protected].

A Queens teacher on Charlottesville: ‘It can’t just be teachers of color’ offering lessons on race

After racial violence erupted in Virginia last year, New York City teacher Vivett Dukes called on teachers to engage students in honest conversations about racism.

“We do our children and ourselves a disservice when we don’t have these difficult conversations as a part of our collective curriculums. However, many teachers from various walks of life are neither well-versed nor fully comfortable discussing race on any level with their students. Not talking about racism won’t make it go away.”

Why the phrase ‘with fidelity’ is an affront to good teaching

Too often teachers are blamed for bad curriculum, writes Tom Rademacher, Minnesota’s Teacher of the Year in 2014. And that needs to stop.

“It keeps happening because admitting that schools are messy and students are human, and teaching is both creative and artistic, would also mean you have to trust teachers and let them have some power.”

I’m a Bronx teacher, and I see up close what we all lose when undocumented students live with uncertainty

Two of Ilona Nanay’s best students started high school as English learners and were diagnosed with learning disabilities. But their educational careers came to an end after graduation because both were undocumented and couldn’t afford out-of-state tuition.

“By not passing the DREAM Act, it feels like lawmakers have decided that some of the young people that graduate from my school do not deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams.”

I’m a Florida teacher in the era of school shootings. This is the terrifying reality of my classroom during a lockdown drill.

K.T. Katzmann is a teacher in Broward County, Florida. In this essay she shares what it’s like knowing that you could be the only thing between a mass shooter and a group of students.

“The experience of being isolated, uninformed, and responsible for the lives of dozens of children is now universal to our profession, whether because of actual emergencies or planned drills.”

I’m a Houston geography teacher. This is my plan for our first day back — as soon as it arrives.

Alex McNaughton teaches a human geography course in Houston. After Hurricane Harvey, he decided to move up a lesson about how urbanization can exacerbate flooding.

“Teachers have a unique power — the power to shape the minds of future generations to solve the problems that we face. Houston’s location means that it will always be susceptible to flooding. But by teaching about the flood I hope I can play a small role in helping our city avoid repeating some of the tragic scenes I witnessed this week.”

How one Harlem teacher gave his student — the ‘Chris Rock of third grade’ — a chance to shine

Ruben Brosbe, a New York City teacher, has a soft spot for troublemakers. In this story, he shares how he got one of his favorite pranksters, Chris, to go through a day without interrupting class.

“Dealing with him taught me a valuable lesson, a lesson I’ve had to learn again and again: At the end of the day, everything that we want to accomplish as teachers is built on our relationships. It’s built on me saying to you, ‘I see you,’ ‘I care about you,’ ‘I care about what you care about and I’m going to make that a part of our class.’”

Cut from the same cloth: Why it matters that black male teachers like me aren’t alone in our schools

Being a black educator can be isolating, writes William Anderson, a Denver teacher. He argues that a more supportive environment for black educators could help cities like Denver improve the lives of black students.

“Without colleagues of the same gender and cultural and ethnic background, having supportive and fulfilling professional relationships is much harder.”

I went viral for walking my students home from school in Memphis. Here’s what got lost in the shuffle.

For years, Memphis teacher Carl Schneider walked his students home to a nearby apartment complex. Then a photograph of him performing this daily ritual caught the attention of the national media. In this essay, Schneider reminds readers that he shouldn’t be the focus — the challenges his students face should. His call to action:

“Educate yourself about the ways systemic racism creates vastly different Americas.”

Thanks to our partners at Yoobi for supporting our Teacher Appreciation campaign.

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here .

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Edwards student shows appreciation for teacher

R.C. Edwards Middle School eighth-grade student Alyssa Howard wrote the winning essay in the Papa John’s Teacher Appreciation contest. She wrote about her seventh-grade social studies teacher, Tommy Wright. Howard and Wright were treated to a surprise pizza party recently. In her essay, Howard described Wright as a teacher who always listened to her and helped her understand social studies better. She said, “I did not enter this contest for me. I entered for Wright.” Howard considers Wright family and even asked him to be her grandfather. The Edwards faculty is proud of Howard for writing the winning essay and proud of having a giving, respected teacher such as Wright.

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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Papa john's essay contest.

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John Curran

ILLINOIS STATE SENATOR 41ST DISTRICT

• March 28, 2024

“MY INSPIRATIONAL TEACHER”ESSAY CONTEST

To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 6-10, State Senator John F. Curran is pleased to announce his My Inspirational Teacher Essay Contest. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their teachers’ amazing talents by writing an essay that explains how their teachers have inspired them. This is a chance to remind teachers how important they are, and what a difference they make in so many lives. Please share this essay contest information with your students. Thank you so much for making the world accessible to our young people through education. You also serve as a role model that might not otherwise be available in each student’s daily routine. You are a mentor, a counselor, and a friend. I look forward to reading about all the ways Illinois teachers inspire their students!

INSTRUCTIONS: To enter, students should write an essay of 250-500 words about one teacher who has been an inspiration to them in a meaningful way. Be sure to discuss both your teacher’s actions (how he or she inspired you), as well as the result (how you have changed or what you have done because of your teacher’s inspiration). Essays must be submitted via email to [email protected] by April 30, 2024. Each entry must include the child’s name, school, and grade level, and the teacher’s name, school, and the subject taught.

• Persuasiveness
• Correct spelling and grammar
• Adherence to contest instructions

PARTICIPANTS: All participants will receive a certificate of recognition from State John F Curran’s legislative office. FINALISTS: Finalists and their nominated teachers will also be invited to a pizza party with Senator Curran. GRAND PRIZE WINNER: The winning essay will win a $200 Amazon gift card and have excerpts from their essay displayed in the rotunda of the Illinois State Capitol. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS: Middle School/Junior High School Students in grades 6-8 THEME: How My Teacher Inspires Me. ENTRY DEADLINE: April 30, 2024 Announcement of Winners: Winners will be notified via email. CONTACT INFORMATION: Questions may be directed to Senator Curran’s staff member, Abby Oliver, at [email protected] or 248-930-8294.

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5 Richmond-area elementary schools win thousands in Papa John’s contest

HENRICO, Va. (WWBT) - Four Henrico County elementary schools and one Chesterfield County elementary school were awarded thousands of dollars from Papa John’s Dollars4Dough4.0 competition.

These schools achieved this by reaching at least 250 Papa John’s orders from teachers and students during the school year and having the highest percentage of participation based on student count. Schools received 10% back on all orders made during the school year.

Five schools in the Richmond metro area placed in the top 10 of this year’s contest. Each school was awarded the following:

• Echo Lake Elementary in Glen Allen was awarded $10,000.
• Springfield Park Elementary in Glen Allen was awarded $3,500.
• Pinchbeck Elementary in Henrico was awarded $2,500.
• Evergreen Elementary in Chesterfield was awarded $2,000.
• Greenwood Elementary in Glen Allen was awarded $1,000.

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2 Chesterfield schools closed due to power outage Tuesday

Richmond Raceway to lose race date as NASCAR adds Mexico City event

Lightning sparks fire at Richmond elementary school

Woman dies after hit by car on Hull Street

Lightning strike causes Chesterfield house fire, displacing 4

Richmond school struck by lightning to remain closed all week

Washington Commanders reach a deal to rename their home field Northwest Stadium

Police identify firefighter killed in Richmond crash

Latest news.

Motorcyclist dies after Chesterfield crash

Woman shot in the chest in Richmond

Hundreds attend Chesterfield’s first ‘Cafe Con La Comunidad’

First Alert Weather Day: Excessive heat and humidity Wednesday

Henrico recognizes ‘Mama 305′ for service to community, generosity to Firehouse 5

‘Such a need:’ 400 boxes of food to help families in need in Chesterfield

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John Estey Student Writing Competition

5th Annual Student Writing Competition

2024 Competition Prompt

“Tradition was safety; change was danger.” — Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow

Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow is a visionary work that combines speculative fiction with deep philosophical inquiry. The Sparrow tells the story of a charismatic Jesuit priest and linguist, Emilio Sandoz, who leads a scientific mission entrusted with a profound task: to make first contact with intelligent extraterrestrial life. The mission begins in faith, hope, and beauty, but a series of small misunderstandings brings it to a catastrophic end.

The Sparrow is recommended for ages 16 and up.

This prompt is a quote from Russell’s The Sparrow and can be used as a first line, a last line, a jumping-off point, an inspiration for your students’ work. They can use the entire quote or portions of it to write a fiction or nonfiction story, poem, song, scene, short monologue or other form of writing. Submissions should be 1,000 words or less regardless of format.

Prizes for the John Estey Student Writing Competition are as follows:

• 3 Winners from the Elementary Grade category will receive $500 each
• 3 Winners from the Middle School Category will receive $1,000 each
• 3 Winners from the High School category will receive $2,000 each

Homeschoolers are welcome to participate in the competition. Please indicate school name as ‘Homeschool’ while filling out the form.

International students may participate in the competition. Please indicate your school’s city and country clearly in the school name field when filling out the form. Be advised, the AWM requires a teacher email and name to participate. 

Steps to submit your students’ written pieces:

• Fill out the intent to participate form below.
• Submission links will be sent out to you directly. Note: Submissions will be accepted only via our submission link.
• Once you submit your written piece, you will receive an automated email.
• Winners will be contacted by August 30, 2024 before the names are announced to the public.

Submission deadline: June 7, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT*

Winner announcement: September 10, 2024

* Not eligible to participate: Past winners of the competition, relatives of AWM staff or board.

The OnWord Student Writing Competition intent to submit form has closed.

Winners of the 2024 contest will be announced at the American Writers Museum's annual gala, OnWord 2024 in September 2024. Information about winners can be found on the competition page .

*To submit your student’s work, please fill out the intent to participate form and you will receive a submission link from the education team at a later date. Submissions will ONLY be accepted through the submission link.

• The 3  winners of the Elementary Grade category will receive $500
• The 3 winners of the Middle School category will receive $1,000
• The 3 winners of the High School category will receive $2,000

Category Selection

• Elementary Grade Level (Grades 3-5)
• Middle School Grade Level (Grades 6-8)
• High School Grade Level (Grades 9-12)
• Only 3 entries per category from one school.
• Teachers will be allowed to submit entries for multiple categories.
• A school with K-8 students can submit 6 entries (3 for Elementary and 3 for Middle School).
• A school that is a stand alone middle school, or a high school can submit only 3.
• If multiple teachers in a school have their students compete, the school needs to pick the top 3 for the school.
• Winners agree to be filmed reading their work and to be featured in a press release and on the American Writers Museum website.

Contact [email protected] with any questions

Previous Winners

• Charlotte Brunner – Fairview South School, IL
• Yueyi Wang – Rehoboth Elementary School, DE
• Annabelle Zhao – Hudson Way Immersion School, NJ
• Siaansh Singh Bhadauria – Deerfield Elementary School, CA
• Aydin Soner – Homeschool, SC
• Aiza Liya Vattoth – Forest Park Elementary, AR
• Olivia Bakal – Oakwood School, CA
• Evelyn Basken – Alcott College Prep Elementary School, IL
• Catherine Huang – Collegewood Elementary School , CA
• Chloe Truong – Norwood Park School, IL
• Sophiya Subba – Whittier Elementary School, IL
• Cecily Barnett – Hopkins West Middle School, MN
• Anessa Brown – Ridgedale Junior-Senior High School, OH
• Makayla Gholar – Asburn Community Elementary School, IL
• Sofia Ou – Eastern Middle School, MD
• Raymond Cai – Keystone School, TX
• Audriana Giudice – Lazar Middle School, NJ
• Taylor Haase – The Rhoades School, CA
• Chloe Lind – Ashley Hall School, SC
• Alessandra Giordano – Lazar Middle School, NJ
• Alisha Walker – Lincoln Middle School, IL
• Taskin Arisha – Castle Hill Middle School, NY
• Aisling Panjwani – Skinner North Classical School, IL
• Ruth Anderson – Homeschool, IL
• Ember Bahe – Navajo Preparatory School, AZ
• Svara Carmel Narasiah – Mont’Kiara International School, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
• Brooke Elwell – Eastern Camden County Regional High School, NJ
• Anita Raj – Eastern Camden County Regional High School, NJ
• Charity White – Carlisle School, VA
• Elizabeth Boguslavsky – Glenbard South High School, IL
• Lana Olarte – Durham School of the Arts, NC
• Katie Liske – Marian High School, NE
• Adina Tanner – Yeshiva University High School for Girls, NY
• Nina Artwell – Niles North High School, IL
• Ysa Quiballo – Niles North High School, IL
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