Ivar’s and Kidd Valley Name Region’s Teachers of the Year

Seventh Annual Teacher Appreciation Contest Brings Grand Prize Honors for Hamilton International Middle School 6^th and 8^th Grade Teacher Darrel Tanaka and Hillcrest Elementary 3^rd and 4^th Grade Teacher Darlene Moe

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The essays streamed in by the hundreds, thanks to the enthusiasm of K-8 Western Washington students lauding their teachers during Ivar’s and Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year contests, held in honor of May’s National Teacher Appreciation Month. In the end, 6^th and 8^th grade teacher APP (Assessing Pupils Progress) science teacher Darrel Tanaka of Hamilton International Middle School in Seattle cinched the Ivar’s Teacher of the Year Grand Prize, and Lake Steven’s 3^rd and 4^th grade teacher Darlene Moe of Hillcrest Elementary took the Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year Grand Prize. Both were honored in surprise classroom and school assembly today, respectively.

Tanaka was nominated by students from his 6^th & 8^th grade APP science classes. They cited their teacher for making learning fun, yet challenging and commended him for his inquisitive, open-minded and interactive approach. Students also mentioned that he coordinated both the “Science Night” and “Science Fair” as well as gathering real scientists to “help get kids psyched” about the subject.

Moe, nominated by 3^rd grader Jody Keagle, stood out due to the fundraisers and extra field trips that her class took part in. Keagle credited Moe for writing a funding grant so ten classes could visit a retirement center. She also submitted students’ projects for writing contests and entered the school into a green/environmental challenge.

As Grand Prize winners, Tanaka and Moe each received a $500 giant check (double from last year’s $250 prize) redeemable for a gift certificate toward school supplies. An Ivar’s clam chowder party, held Friday with a visit from the Ivar’s Dancing Clam, went to Tanaka’s classes for nominating him. Moe’s class enjoyed a Kidd Valley burger party, thanks to Keagle’s nomination. The teachers also received commemorative plaques.

Ivar’s and Kidd Valley also honored four First Prize and 30 Second Prize winners, collectively.

Four First Prize Winners (two each from Ivar’s and Kidd Valley) received a $150 gift certificate toward school supplies:

• Ivar’s— Michael McCauley, 2nd Grade, Fairwood Elementary, Kent
• Ivar’s— Patrick Reardon, 4^th/5^th/6^th Grade, Shorewood Elementary, Highline
• Kidd Valley— Jane Perez, 3^rd Grade, Puesta del Sol Elementary, Bellevue
• Kidd Valley— Alec Wilmart, 7^th/8^th Grade, Kellogg Middle School, Shoreline

30 Second Prize Winners (15 each from Ivar’s and Kidd Valley) were awarded a $25 gift card good at all Ivar’s full-service, Seafood Bar and Fish Bar locations as well as Kidd Valley locations:

Ivar’s Second Prizes (15):

• Donna Amira, K-5^th, Dunlap Elementary, Seattle
• Michael Banet, 7^th Grade, Mason Middle School, Tacoma
• Jeff Booth, 5^th Grade, Canyon Creek Elementary, Northshore
• Joanne Cecchini, 8^th Grade, Christ the King, Seattle
• Robert East, 6-8^th Grade, Marysville Middle School, Marysville
• Christina Gonzales, 3^rd Grade, Assumption St. Bridget, Seattle
• Ruth Kenney, 2/3^rd Grade, Terrace Park Elementary, Edmond
• Priscilla Lewis, 4^th Grade, Syre Elementary, Shoreline
• Rosalyn McWatters, 5^th Grade, Mt. Pilchuck Elementary, Lake Stevens
• Jon Melby, 5^th Grade, Columbia Elementary, Mukilteo
• Leah Montange, 5^th Grade, Gregory Heights Elementary, Highline
• Michelle Morris, 5^th Grade, Brown Point Elementary, Tacoma
• Sally Ratzke, 4^th Grade, Seattle Hill Elementary, Snohomish
• Gretchen Row, Kindergarten, Sacajawea Elementary, Seattle
• Donna Zendejas, 5^th Grade, Puesta del Sol, Bellevue

Kidd Valley Second Prizes (15):

• Ana Avalos, 7-12^th Grade, Sylvester/ACE, Highline
• Daniel Barkley, 5^th Grade, Adams Elementary
• Dori Bennett, 7^th Grade, Esckstein Middle School, Seattle
• Jeri Combs, Kindergarten, Kenmore Elementary, Northshore
• Lorena Franco, 5^th Grade, Hazelwood Elementary, Renton
• Natalya Freimanis, 3^rd Grade, Benjamin Franklin Elementary, Lake Washington
• Pam Lawlor, Kindergarten, Cherry Crest Elementary, Bellevue
• Kaye Lysen, 5^th Grade, Madison Elementary, Everett
• Jeannette MacKay, 1^st Grade, Lake Hills Elementary, Bellevue
• Jean McKee, Kindergarten, St. Thomas More Parish, Edmonds
• Kelly Murphy, 2-3^rd Grade, Kennydale Elementary, Renton
• Nicole Schoenemann, 8^th Grade, Robinswood Middle School
• Barbara Stone, K-1^st Grade, Daniel Bagley Elementary, Seattle
• Deb Werner, 5^th Grade, St. Catherine, Seattle
• Colin White, 8^th Grade, Canyon Park Junior High, Northshore

This is the seventh year Ivar’s and Kidd Valley conducted the Teacher Appreciation contest.

Ivar’s Seafood Restaurants began on Seattle's waterfront in 1938. Today, there are 23 Ivar's fast casual Seafood Bars, three walk-up Fish Bars, and three full service restaurants: Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and Ivar's Mukilteo Landing. Ivar's Seafood, Soup and Sauce Company markets and sells its award-winning soups, chowders and sauces both nationally and internationally. The company also operates 20 regional stadium concessions including Safeco Field, Qwest Field, Husky Stadium and the Comcast Arena at Everett. Learn more at www.ivars.com

Kidd Valley has earned a following throughout Seattle and the Eastside for its made-to-order burgers, old fashioned, hand-mixed shakes which often feature seasonal ingredients, Kidd Meals, and mouthwatering side dishes such as fresh sweet onion rings, sweet potato fries, Grounders Famous Garlic Fries and signature fried mushrooms. Kidd Valley began in 1975 in Seattle's University District. Today, Kidd Valley has 8 retail locations throughout Western Washington plus 6 stadium and event locations such as Safeco Field, Qwest Stadium and the Comcast Arena at Everett. It is owned today by Ivar’s Seafood Restaurants. For more, please visit www.kiddvalley.com

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