Ivar’s and Kidd Valley restaurants are calling on all kindergarten through eighth graders to nominate their favorite teacher for a chance to take home the 2015 Teacher of the Year honors. The Kid Valley in Kirkland is participating the in contest.

Two well-deserving educators will be selected as grand prize recipients to bring home a $500 gift card for classroom supplies, a commemorative plaque and the official title of either Ivar’s Teacher of the Year or Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year. Plus, the nominating students of the grand prize winners will receive either an Ivar’s Kids Meal – including a visit by Ivar’s famous Dancing Clam – or a Kidd Valley Kids Meal for every student in their class. As a special bonus, those classes will also receive admission tickets to the Pacific Science Center, courtesy of the educational institution.

To nominate a teacher, students 14 years old or younger may visit select Puget Sound area Ivar’s or Kidd Valley locations (excluding stadiums and Eastern Washington stores) to complete an official entry form, or go online to www.Ivars.com/teacher or http://KiddValley.com/calendar.htm. All entries must be received by May 19. The official Teacher of the Year rules can be found on the Ivar’s and Kidd Valley websites.

The contest will also award four teachers a first place prize of a $150 gift card for classroom supplies, and 30 teachers will receive a second place prize of a $25 Ivar’s or Kidd Valley gift card.

The Teacher of the Year contest, now in its 12th year, was inspired by heart-warming stories of teachers’ positive contributions in and out of the classroom. As in previous years, the contest seeks to honor inspirational educators who go above and beyond the call of duty to teach, mentor and support their students.