Nominate A Great Teacher Now!

-- Ron Clark and Kim Bearden with the 2009 GATA Winner - Dr. Aimee Burgamy --

DO YOU KNOW AN OUTSTANDING TEACHER WHO DESERVES RECOGNITION?

The Ron Clark Academy is calling for nominations for its

2^nd Annual Great American Teacher Awards

ATLANTA (April 2010) — Do you know a teacher who is changing students’ lives through outstanding work in the classroom?  The Ron Clark Academy, in partnership with Great American Financial Resources, Inc., is searching for phenomenal teachers from across the country to participate in the second annual Great American Teacher Awards. Ron Clark and Kim Bearden, who are national award-winning educators themselves, are currently accepting applications for this prestigious award to recognize those who are doing exceptional work to inspire their students.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognize those teachers who are doing amazing work inside their classrooms,” said Ron Clark, founder of the The Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta.  “We all remember that teacher who was filled with energy and excitement, that teacher who was eager to help us learn.  We are absolutely thrilled to launch this national award.  It’s our way of saying thank you to those who have committed their lives to children and education.”

In order to apply, the nominee must be a passionate, dedicated teacher who is currently employed by a public or private school, at any grade level or subject from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and who is planning to continue in an active teaching status.  A minimum of three years of current teaching experience is required.

The deadline to submit applications is September 1, 2010.  Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, and semifinalists will receive a scheduled classroom visit by Ron Clark or a member of the Ron Clark Academy staff.  From these semifinalists, five teachers will be selected as national finalists, and they will be honored at a special gala on Friday, November 19th, 2010, which will serve as the kick-off event for the November National Educators’ Conference.  Each finalist will receive prizes and national recognition.  The five finalists will also be interviewed by Ron Clark and the Ron Clark Academy staff and a panel of judges from across the country.

The five national finalists will receive the following: An all-expense paid trip to Atlanta for the finalist and a guest to attend the Ron Clark Academy’s National Educators’ Conference in November of 2010; special recognition at the National conference; classroom resources and supplies; media opportunities; and a $1,000 honorarium.

After the five finalists have been selected, one teacher will be named the Great American Teacher of the Year.  In addition to the prizes listed above, this exceptional teacher will receive a $10,000 cash award and a $5,000 cash gift to his/her school.

To nominate a teacher, to submit an application or to learn how to become a sponsor of the 2010 Great American Teacher Awards, visit www.greatamericanteacherawards.com.

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About The Ron Clark Academy

The Ron Clark Academy is a private, nonprofit SACS CASI accredited middle school in Southeast Atlanta that promotes innovation and inspires its students through energetic teaching balanced by a strict code of discipline.  Each year, 3,000 educators from around the world visit the Academy to learn how to replicate the school’s style, philosophy and success in their own classrooms.  The Academy currently relies on outside funding to provide scholarships to students from varying academic backgrounds.

About Great American Financial Resources

The subsidiaries of Great American Financial Resources offer traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and various forms of supplemental insurance. The company’s subsidiaries include Great American Life Insurance Company, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company, United Teacher Associates Insurance Company^® and Loyal American Life Insurance Company^®. Variable annuities are distributed by Great American Advisors^®, Inc., member FINRA and a subsidiary of GAFRI, 525 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202. GAFRI is a member of the Great American Insurance Group, whose roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. The members of Great American Insurance Group are subsidiaries of American Financial Group, Inc. AFG’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and Nasdaq under the symbol (“AFG”). Learn more at www.GAFRI.com.