ABTA MPP Teacher of the Year 2012

This year there have been some exciting changes to the Teacher of the Year program and we are operating on an accelerated schedule because the award will be announced at the ABTA conference during the Spring Nationals this March in Memphis.  Joyce Penn the president sent me the press release and I am going to reproduce it as she sent it:

Making Winners out of Ordinary Players

by Joyce Penn

Announcing the 2012 ABTA Master Point Press Teacher of the Year Award

August 22, 2011 –  Does your bridge teacher get the recognition he/she deserves? Do you wish the world to know how your teacher has given you the priceless gift of bridge?  Good teachers’ passion for bridge shines through in their classroom. They present bridge material in an interesting, original way, encouraging their students to learn more and take the next step to becoming competent players. In conjunction with Master Point Press, the American Bridge Teachers Association (ABTA) will present the third annual “Teacher of the Year” plaque and cash award, next March in Memphis, at the ABTA’s 2012 Conference, March 13 – March 16, 2012.

Students who hold their teacher in high regard, who feel their teacher cares about their successes and non-successes at the bridge table, are encouraged to nominate their teacher for this prestigious award.  Here’s the opportunity for your teacher to be recognized as one of the world’s best.

A total of five finalists will be chosen from the nominees received, with one from each geographic quadrant of the United States, plus one from Canada. A good teacher is a very important person who stays updated with bridge’s constantly changing methods, and enthusiastically shares his/her love of the game with students.  Students should submit a few words of praise for him/her in consideration for this prestigious award.

Nominations are being accepted from September 1, 2011 until January 31, 2012.  Please submit one or two paragraphs explaining why your teacher deserves consideration. Nominees must have at least 5 years teaching experience and teach at least 75 hours per year.

Master Point Press is the world’s largest publisher of bridge books and bridge eBooks, including “Bridge With Bells & Whistles.” Authored by Mary Ann Dufresne and Marion Ellingsen, it is the winner of the 2011 ABTA Book of the Year.  ABTA, the professional bridge teachers organization, includes members from the US, Canada, Australia, England, Greece & Japan, and enables teachers to share creative ideas, participate in online discussion groups, and helps them enrich their skills.

Submissions may be emailed to Joyce Penn, Chairman, at jpenn@columbus.rr.com or sent to 2800 Squires Ridge, Columbus, OH 43220. Joyce, past president of the ABTA, encourages students to nominate their teachers who fill their classroom with joy and teach their art with warmth and passion. Each submission will be acknowledged. Past nominees are eligible for re-submission.