GIVE A CHEER FOR EDUCATION!
Show Thanks to Those in Texas Education with a Nomination for a 2009 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award

San Antonio , TX – September 16, 2008 – Among the most meaningful phrases a teacher can hope to hear is a simple “thank you.” H-E-B is giving the community a way to thank those in Texas education by launching the nomination period for the 2009 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. Just one nomination can place a teacher, principal or a school district on the path toward winning a cash prize ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.  

For the first time in the awards eight-year history, nominations will be accepted online at www.heb.com/education. Nomination forms can also be picked up at H-E-B stores. All nominations are due by November 21, 2008. Teachers, principals and school districts are also strongly encouraged to submit their names for consideration.   

“A nomination is a simple yet powerful way to show appreciation for our educators that are daily demonstrating a true passion for teaching children to aim high in life,” said Jill Reynolds, H-E-B Community Relations Program Manager. “They deserve to be thanked and rewarded for this dedication.”      

Following the close of the nomination period, all nominees will be sent an application form to complete. This form requests additional information from the nominee for judging purposes including written responses that communicate their teaching and learning experiences, their teaching philosophies and what inspires them to make a difference in the lives of their students. Completed application forms will be due January 2, 2009. Following a regional judging process, 225 semifinalists will receive an       H-E-B Gift Card and a certificate of recognition from H-E-B Chairman and CEO Charles Butt. Additionally, 48 finalists representing five Texas regions will be selected and invited to compete further for an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award and cash prize.

About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program was launched in 2002 in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators as a strong way to support public education in Texas. It is a personal initiative of H-E-B CEO and Chairman, Charles Butt, who implemented the program to highlight the outstanding practices of Texas public schools and spotlight and celebrate the work of Texas educators. Since its inception, the program has handed out over $3 million to 773 educators and 155 schools and districts across the state.

Upon selection of the 48 statewide finalists, they will be notified of their special status during surprise visits to their schools, March 23 - April 8, 2009. Each teacher/principal finalist will be awarded $1,000. Teacher finalists will also receive an additional $1,000 for their school and principal finalists receive an additional $2,500. The eight finalists in the large (5A, 4A) and small (1A, 2A, 3A) school district categories will receive $5,000 and $2,500, respectively.

Finalists will also receive an invitation for an all-expense-paid trip to Austin for a bit of pampering and relaxation at the Barton Creek Resort & Spa. During their stay, the finalists will participate in the award’s statewide competition process from which 10 grand-prize winners will be selected. These 10 winners — two principals, six teachers and two school districts, one large and one small — will be announced at a celebratory awards dinner to be held on May 3 at the resort.   

Each winning principal—one elementary school and one secondary school—will receive a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for his/her school. The winning large school district will receive a $100,000 cash prize. The winning small school district will receive $50,000.

The six winning teachers will include one elementary and one secondary teacher in each of three categories:

• The Rising Star Award — honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. These winners will each receive a $5,000 cash prize plus a $5,000 grant for his/her school.
• The Leadership Award — honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. These winners will each receive a $10,000 cash prize plus a $10,000 grant for his/her school.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award — salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers will each receive a $25,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for his/her school.

About H-E-B
For more than 100 Years, H-E-B has been an innovative retailer. Known for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience at every day low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs more than 67,000 Partners and serves millions of customers in more than 150 communities throughout Texas and Mexico. For more information, visit www.heb.com.