Winners of Thank A Teacher Contest Named

The Ron Clark Academy (RCA) and Promethean presented Amanda Morris from Tarboro, North Carolina and Donna Porter from Picayune, Mississippi with the 2012 Thank A Teacher Award. Morris and Porter were selected out of hundreds of nominees from around the country.

Both teachers were given a two-day, all expense paid trip to attend the RCA Educator Training Program. Their best teaching practices and stories about how they are inspiring students will be shared with millions of educators on Promethean Planet.

Amanda Morris’ motto, “Go the Distance,” is known by peers, students and her family. She was nominated for doing “whatever it takes to motivate her students!” This includes eating live worms to reward her students for increasing scores on state assessments, and dressing-up like a pop-star and singing original songs to keep students motivated.

Donna Porter’s nomination from a former student started with “ninety seconds changed my life.” The student continued with a heart-felt story about how she didn’t give-up on him or any other students. And, how her charm and keen understanding helped motivate them to stay in school, graduate and continue on to college.

Photos and essays from a number of the Thank A Teacher nominees are posted online at: