Chevron, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Charities and The Grable Foundation are teaming up this baseball season with the Allegheny Intermediate Unit, Intermediate Unit One, and Kidsburgh to recognize teachers from southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. Teachers will have the opportunity to be nominated for their exceptional classroom efforts that have positively impacted Pre-K to 12th-grade students.

Beginning now, January 30, and running through March 1, online nominations are being accepted for the "All Star Teachers" Program at pirates.com/allstarteachers. The organizations will select 18 winning teachers who will receive a $1,000 classroom grant, a personalized Pirates jersey, and on-field recognition during a Pirates game at PNC Park this season.

"The Pirates are proud to call attention to and honor our region's terrific educators," said Frank Coonelly, Pirates President. "Our teachers go above and beyond by dedicating their lives to helping generations of children reach their potential and making a positive impact in our community. For that, they should honored and recognized and we are proud to partner with Chevron and the Grable Foundation to provide such recognition."

Teachers from Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties in Pennsylvania and Marshall and Ohio Counties in West Virginia are eligible to be nominated. Of the 18 winning teachers, six elementary, six middle school, and six high school teachers will be selected.

"This region has incredible teachers who do amazing things in and outside the classroom that so often go unnoticed," remarked Stacy Olson, president of Chevron Appalachia. "As a company committed to expanding innovative learning approaches in the classroom, Chevron is proud to partner to recognize and encourage those truly outstanding teachers who are making a difference in the lives of students."

A committee comprised of members of the contributing organizations will consider the candidates and choose the winning teachers. Each winning teacher will also be surprised in their classroom later this Spring.

"Recognizing outstanding teachers establishes a culture that rewards excellence in teaching and validates the work of the teacher," said Gregg Behr, executive director of the Grable Foundation. "It gives students a sense of pride in their teachers, displays teachers as positive role models, and encourages students to think about teaching as a career."

Nominations are open until March 1. Please visit pirates.com/allstarteachers to nominate a teacher.

Program Details:
Winning teachers will receive a "Classroom Surprise" which may include:
• A grant of $1,000
• A personalized jersey in the teacher's name
• Game tickets

Winning teachers will also be recognized:
• On field during a pre-game celebration
• On the videoboard during an in-game recognition celebration
• In the Pirates First Pitch magazine
• On Pirates social media