BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
STAR TEACHERS AWARDS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
updated 02.29.08
1. Q: What is the Bright House Networks National Star Teacher Awards?
A: The Bright House Networks National Star Teacher Awards is an annual national competition for educators who use Cable in the Classroom programming creatively to enhance the way they teach kids in the classrooms. Educators must teach in one of Bright House Networks service areas.
2. Q: What is Cable in the Classroom?
A: Cable in the Classroom is an industry-wide initiative that provides to schools free access to commercial-free, educational cable TV programming and new technologies. Since 1989, 8,500 cable companies and 37 cable networks have provided these services to 1,000 public and private schools, reaching 78 percent of the nation's K-12 students. CIC is the only industry-wide philanthropic initiative of its kind and represents the cable telecommunications industry's commitment to education. The program's main objective is to improve teaching and learning for children in schools, at home and in their communities. CIC focuses on five essential elements to ensure quality education in the 21st century: visionary and sensible use of technologies, engagement with rich content, community with other learners, excellent teaching and the support of parents and other adults.
3. Q: Which networks provide Cable in the Classroom programming?
A: There are thirty-seven member networks that provide cable resources for education and are considered members of Cable in the Classroom. Click here to see the complete list.
4. Q: Who is eligible to enter?
A: Educators (K-12) who work at state accredited public or private U.S. schools located within Bright House Networks service areas.
5. Q: What does the winner receive?
A: Each individual winner (or team of up to three teachers) will receive a $1,000 cash prize, a Tiffany's Crystal Star, special recognition at the Star Teacher Awards Gala at SeaWorld Orlando Ports of Call and an all expense paid trip to Savannah, Georgia.
6. Q: May I enter as a single applicant and as part of a teacher team?
A: Yes, but each entry must be a different project. Individual projects may not be entered multiple times under different applicant names.
7. Q: If a team wins, does each teacher receive $1,000?
A: No. The $1,000 cash prize is allocated to a winning project. The team of teachers will share the prize money equally divided by the number of team members.
8. Q: May I enter two different projects?
A: The only way you may enter two different projects is if you enter one project as a single application, and the second project as part of a teacher team.
9. Q: How do you select a winner?
A: An impartial panel of knowledgeable professionals in education and television will judge all entries. Judging will be based on the following criteria:
- Overall program content
- Quality of materials and activities
- Innovative approach
- Cable programming relevance to the curriculum
- Effective use of cable programming
- Learning benefits to students
- Duration of the project
- Number of students affected
10. Q: Who are the judges? A: Each year we select education and television leaders from around the country to serve as judges for the program.
11. Q: When are applications due?
A: The application deadline for this year's program is Friday, February 29, 2008.
12. Q: Will I get application materials back at the end of the program?
A: No. Unfortunately, we are unable to return materials, so we suggest that when possible, applicants submit copies instead of original materials. If you do choose to submit original materials, we suggest you keep copies for your records. We will no longer return any materials submitted for the Star Teacher Awards program.
13. Q: Do I need to submit my entry in a binder?
A: Yes. In order to ensure that all your information remains together, and that it can be easily identified, we recommend that you submit your entry materials in a notebook binder that includes an completed application and any other support materials necessary to the overall success of your project.
14. Q: What additional materials should I submit with my application?
A: It is highly recommended that you submit support materials you think may help paint a complete picture of the project and its impact on students. These can come in the form of lesson plans, audio-visual presentations (VHS or DVD is accpeted), student reaction pieces, photos, handbooks, letters from community leaders and/or students and materials that were produced specifically for your project.
15. Q: Do I have to pay to go on the Star Teacher Awards Trip on June 11 -13?
A: No. If you are a winner, Bright House Networks will cover your travel expenses to and from Orlando, Florida for the Star Teacher Awards Gala and to Savannah, Georgia for this year's Star Teacher Awards Trip. However, if applicable, you are responsible for travel to and from your local airport.
16. Q: Do I have to pay to attend the awards banquet if I live in another state?
A: No. If you are a winner, Bright House Networks will cover your travel expenses to and from the banquet. However, you are responsible for travel to and from your local airport.
17. Q: May I bring a guest to the awards dinner and the on the trip?
A: Yes. You can bring one guest to the awards dinner. Yes. You may bring one (1) adult guest on the Star Teacher Awards Trip. All winners and their guests will be required to complete a Winners Affidavit and Release that specifically covers what each winning teacher and their guest will be provided for the dates June 10, 11, 12 and 13. Accommodations and/or travel arrangements will NOT be made outside of the dates of the awards Gala and Trip.
18. Q: What do I wear to the Star Teacher Awards Gala on June 10?
A: The Star Teacher Awards Gala recognizes all of the winning teachers for 2008. The dress is Semi-Formal which means dark suits for men and cocktail dresses or dressy suites for women. Tuxes are not required, nor are long dresses.
19. Q. If I have already entered a project in one teacher competition, may I enter it again in Bright House Networks Star Teacher Award competition?
A: Yes, absolutely, as long as it incorporates Cable in the Classroom program. If you are submitting a project that has already won an award from another competition, please include that information in your Star Teacher entry.
20. Q. Will my chances to win increase if my project spans multiple disciplines?
A: When reviewing the applications our judges will look for any innovative approach to the design and execution of each project. If your project successfully engages multiple disciplines in innovative ways then it could definitely increase your ratings.
21. Q. Will my chances to win be better if I utilize more than one CIC program or more than one CIC Network's programming?
A: The number of programs or networks you use does not increase your chances of winning. Your ability to be innovative, show impact and clever use of whatever program(s) you use in your project can definitely increase your chances.
22. Q: How many awards are given each year?
A: Bright House Networks will select up to ten projects each year to be honored as Star Teacher Award worthy projects. Bright House Networks reserves the right to select less than ten projects based on the quality and innovation of the projects submitted, and the judges recommendations.
23. Q: What if the audio-visual is a PowerPoint with vocal recordings?
A: You may use whatever audio-visual elements are needed as part of your project submission. However, you must submit all the necessary files to ensure the materials can be properly reviewed. Any questions can be e-mailed to TeacherAwards@mybrighthouse.com.
24. Q: Is my school in the Bright House Networks service area?
A: Click here to find out if your school is within the Bright House Networks service area.
25. Q: Does my school have to be serviced by Bright House Networks for me to enter?
A: Yes. The program is open to projects that were implemented in schools serviced by Bright House Networks.
26. Q: How many winners are chosen by district or school location?
A: Winners are not selected based on school district or location, but instead are selected on the merits of their project entries.
27. Q: When is the date of the Star Teacher Awards trip?
A: This year's Star Teacher Awards Trip will immediately follow the Star Teacher Awards Gala that is being held on June 10 at SeaWorld Orlando Ports of Call. The trip begins on Wednesday, June 11 from Orlando, Florida to Savannah, Georgia. Winning teachers and their one (1) adult guest will spend two nights in Savannah, Georgia. On June 13, every winning teacher and their one (1) guest will be transported from Savannah, Georgia to their home city/town. There will be no additional travel arrangements or hotel accommodations made or covered outside of the dates of June 10, 11, 12 and 13 by Bright House Networks.
28. Q: How must cable networks be used as part of the requirements?
A: Cable in the Classroom works with its member networks to develop Cable in the Classroom specific programming. You can find a complete list of available resources on the CIC website and the list of member networks within the CIC website.
29. Q: Can you nominate a teacher for the Star Teacher Award?
A: No. Star Teacher Awards is a competition where an educator must submit the project they have developed and fully implemented for review by our judges. The winners are selected based on the merits of their project. The personal accomplishments or popularity of the educator do not impact the judge's decision when determining the winning projects.
30. Q: Can I apply online?
A: No. Applications may be downloaded from our site, but all submissions must be sent in a binder along with support materials in order to be eligible for the competition.
31. If I have won in the past can I submit an entry for this year?
A: Yes. We welcome applications from all educators. Since our judges change from year to year, and the quality of applications we receive increases from year to year, past winners may submit an entry. There is absolutely no guarantee of a repeat win.
