Grand Rapids’ Barnes & Noble, Inc. has announced the start of its 2017 My Favorite Teacher Contest, which for the past seven years has provided middle and high school students the opportunity to tell their communities how much they appreciate their teachers.

According to supplied material, students can nominate their teacher by writing essays, poems or thank-you letters that share how their teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. Local participating schools will collect the essays and submit them to Barnes & Noble at Woodland Mall, in Kentwood, for consideration. Entries are judged on the compelling nature of the teacher’s inspiring qualities, the sincerity of the student’s appreciation and the quality of expression and writing.

The local winning teacher will be recognized in the spring at an event held at the Barnes & Noble, where they will receive a award acknowledging their achievement, as well as additional recognition. The student who wrote the winning essay or poem will receive a certificate of recognition and will also be honored at the ceremony.

The Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher Contest submission period ends March 1. Students who want to participate must submit their essay or poem to Barnes & Noble at Woodland Mall by March 1. Only middle and high school students and active teachers employed in local elementary, middle or high schools are eligible to win.  More details on the contest rules, and the winning essay from the 2016 Contest, can be found at www.bn.com/myfavoriteteacher.