Barnes & Noble Inc.
05/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/04/2021 09:51
Barnes & Noble Names Janet Iafrate 2021 Winner of the My Favorite Teacher Contest05/04/2021
Press Release
Barnes & Noble Names Janet Iafrate 2021 Winner of the My Favorite Teacher Contest
Pennsylvania based Teacher Awarded $10,000 to Share with Saint Basil Academy
NEW YORK - May 4, 2021 -Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world's largest retail bookseller, today named Janet Iafrate of Saint Basil Academy in Jenkintown, PA the 2021 national winner of Barnes & Noble's My Favorite Teacher Contest. Mrs. Iafrate was nominated by her student, Isabella Canals, and was chosen from thousands of entries nationwide.
In March 2021, Barnes & Noble invited students to nominate their favorite teacher by writing essays, poems or thank you letters that shared how their teacher influenced them. Entries were judged on the compelling nature of the teacher's qualities, the sincerity of the student's appreciation and the quality of expression and writing. This year's winner, Mrs. Iafrate, received $5,000 for winning this year's award, and another $5,000 was given to the Saint Basil Academy where she teaches.
'We are so pleased to announce the winner of our annual My Favorite Teacher contest,' said Amy Fitzgerald, Senior Retail Director for Barnes & Noble. 'The Barnes & Noble My Favorite Teacher contest is a chance to hear from students around the country about the teachers that changed their lives and award an exemplary teacher and school for their work, and this year we are delighted to honor Mrs. Janet Iafrate.'
Isabella Canals, who wrote the winning essay, praised Mrs. Iafrate for giving her confidence in her writing ability. 'I have become a person I never thought I could be, because you had faith in my writing and motivated me to try and push myself,' Isabella wrote in her winning essay.
'I am elated that Bella's written work is being honored by Barnes & Noble, and not surprised that the judges saw something special in what she had to say, as she is a skilled writer and a deep thinker,' said Janet Iafrate. 'That I am somehow included in this is both exciting and baffling, but more than anything I'm just grateful for such a welcome surprise at the end of a challenging year.'
You can find out more about the Barnes & Noble's My Favorite Teacher contest at www.bn.com/myfavoriteteacher.
Barnes & Noble celebrates educators all year long through its Educator Membership program, including 20% off purchases. Interested educators can sign up in stores or online at: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-educators.