BRIGHT HOUSE NETWORKS
STAR TEACHERS AWARDS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
updated 11/09

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 programming in the classroom 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. Note: Teachers who won the previous year’s competition can apply to compete, but must partner with a new teacher for their application to be eligible to win.

5: Q: Define what makes a teacher “new” in this competition?
A: A new teacher is a teacher who has never entered the competition before, or has entered but never won.

5a: Q: If I won last year, why must I partner with a new teacher to be eligible to enter again?
A: The Star Teacher Awards competition is highly competitive each year and past year’s winners have no guarantee that they will win again. However, previous winners may maintain an advantage over teacher who have never entered before or have never won. Requiring prior winners to partner with a new teacher will challenge their creativity as they mentor other educators on how to incorporate cable in the classroom programming into their classrooms.

6. Q: What does the winner receive? 
A: Each individual winner (or team of up to three teachers) can receive a cash prize of up to $3,000, a Tiffany's Crystal Star, and recognition at a very special Education Celebration in June 2010.

7. 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.

8. Q: If a team wins, does each teacher receive $1,000? 
A: Yes. Each winning project can win a cash prize of up to $3,000.  The team of teachers will share the prize money equally divided by the number of team members.  Each teacher is guaranteed at least $1,000.

9. Q: May I enter two different projects? 
A: Yes. You can enter with two different teams, or as a single teacher. Teachers who won the previous year’s contest may not enter as a single teacher, but instead can enter as a team. They must however have a new teacher as part of their team.

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Q: When are applications due?
A: The application deadline for this year's program is Monday, March 1, 2010.

13. 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.

14. Q: Do I need to submit my entry in a binder? 
A: No. In January 2010, you will be able to submit your entry online.  Accompanying support materials must be sent in a binder to ensure that all your information remains together, and that it can be easily identified.  We recommend that you submit your entry’s support materials in a notebook binder that is clearly labeled.

15. 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 are accepted), student reaction pieces, photos, handbooks, letters from community leaders and/or students and materials that were produced specifically for your project.

16. Q: Will there be a trip this year? 
A: No.  In lieu of a trip, we have increased the prize amounts for the program.  We understand the economic challenges facing teachers and schools.  By raising prize amounts, we hope to be able to provide additional resources in the current economic climate.

17. Q: May I bring a guest to the special dinner in June?  
A: Yes. You can bring one (1) guest to the awards dinner. Your schools principal and superintendant will be invited separately.

18. Q: What do I wear to the Education Celebration in June? 
A: The Education Celebration in June will highlight students and teachers who benefit from Bright House Networks investment in education. 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 judge’s 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: 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.

28. 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.

29. Q: Can I apply online? 
A: Yes. An online application will be available in January 2010, but all support materials must be sent in a binder.  Register today to receive updates and we’ll notify you once the application is available.

30. If I have won in the past can I submit an entry for this year? 
A: Yes. Past winners may submit an entry, but they must partner with a new teacher in order to be considered eligible to win. While there is absolutely no guarantee of a repeat win, this will provide a level playing field amongst past winners and new entrants.