SEATTLE, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Month in May, Ivar's and Kidd Valley restaurants are calling on all kindergarten through eighth grade students to nominate their favorite, inspirational teacher for a chance to win 2014 Teacher of the Year honors. Two teachers will be selected as grand prize winners, receiving a $500 gift card for classroom supplies, a commemorative plaque and the 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 burger party for every student in their class. As a bonus prize, those classes will receive admission tickets to Imagine Children's Museum in Everett, courtesy of the museum.

To nominate a teacher, students 14 years of age 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. In addition to the entry form, students are encouraged to submit artwork or photos as "extra credit" that best represents their appreciation of their teacher. All entries must be received by May 25, 2014. 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 prize of a $150 gift card for classroom supplies, and 30 teachers will receive a second prize of a $25 Ivar's or Kidd Valley gift card.

The Teacher of the Year contest 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. The 2013 Ivar's and Kidd Valley Teacher of the Year grand prize winners were Jeffery Thoreson of Snohomish's Riverview Elementary School and Tammy Gunderson of Woodinville's Wellington Elementary School.

About Ivar's
Ivar's Seafood Restaurants began on Seattle's waterfront in 1938. Today, there are 24 Ivar's fast casual Seafood Bars and three full-service restaurants: Ivar's Acres of Clams, Ivar's Salmon House and Ivar's Mukilteo Landing. Ivar's Seafood, Soup and Sauce Company markets and sells its award-winning soups, chowders and sauces both nationally and internationally. The company also operates regional stadium concessions including Safeco Field, CenturyLink Field, Alaska Airlines Arena, Husky Stadium and Cheney Stadium. Learn more at www.Ivars.com.

About Kidd Valley
Kidd Valley has earned a following throughout Seattle and the Eastside for its made-to-order burgers, old fashioned, hand-mixed shakes which often feature seasonal ingredients, Kidd Meals, and mouthwatering side dishes such as fresh sweet onion rings, sweet potato fries, Grounders Famous Garlic Fries and signature fried mushrooms. Kidd Valley began in 1975 in Seattle's University District. Today, Kidd Valley has eight retail locations throughout Western Washington plus five stadium locations at Safeco Field and CenturyLink Field. For more, please visit www.kiddvalley.com.

SOURCE Ivar’s