Barnes & Noble Tysons is giving middle and high school students the opportunity to tell the community how much they appreciate their favorite teacher during its “My Favorite Teacher Contest,” which runs through March 1. Students can nominate their teacher by writing essays, poems or thank-you letters that share how their teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them.

According to a press release from the bookstore, schools that want to participate in the contest should collect their students’ entries and submit them to Barnes & Noble Tysons for consideration. Entries will be judged on the compelling nature of the teacher’s qualities, the sincerity of the student’s appreciation and the quality of the entries.

The winning teacher will be recognized at an event at Barnes & Noble Tysons this spring, where they will receive an award acknowledging their achievement. The student who wrote the winning essay or poem will receive a certificate of recognition and also be honored at the ceremony.

All of the teachers who win the local contest will be eligible to also win a regional contest. Regional winners receive a $500 Barnes & Noble gift card and a NOOK. Each regional winner will move on to a national contest, where they will have the chance to be named “Barnes & Noble National Teacher of the Year.” The winner of the national contest will win $5,000, will be recognized at their local Barnes & Noble store and their school will also win $5,000.

Teachers from grades 1 – 12 are eligible for nomination. Only middle and high school students and teachers who are actively employed at elementary, middle and high schools in the United States are eligible. For more information, visit bn.com/myfavoriteteacher or e-mail Marta Seenstra Davis at crm2238@bn.com.