Seattle, WA – May 3, 2011 – To celebrate National Teacher Day today and this week’s Teacher Appreciation Week, WhitePages is announcing that Mrs. Campbell from Perry Elementary in Perry, Kansas has been named America’s Favorite Teacher from the WhitePages’ Run & Hug Contest. With 47,141 online votes, Mrs. Campbell and Brandi Turner, the former student who nominated her, will each win two all expenses paid trips to New York City to meet in person. Mrs. Campbell will also be presented with a $1,000 check for her dedication and inspiration to the students at Perry Elementary.  Launched in early April, the Run & Hug contest garnered 196,634 votes for 205 submissions.

“Mrs. Campbell truly is an amazing teacher and person,” said Brandi Turner. “As my second grade teacher, I remember her caring voice, her sucking on cough drops while reading to us, her kind words if you were worried or upset, her helpful ways in encouraging positive friendships, and most importantly, her display of the importance of receiving the most out of education as possible. I look forward to reuniting with Mrs. Campbell in NY to thank her in person.”

Mrs. Campbell taught in Perry, KS from 1984-1994 and Mrs. Turner, who graduated from Perry Lecompton in 1997, was in her first class. From 1994 to the present time, Mrs. Campbell has been teaching in Lawrence, KS, which is about 15 miles from Perry. For the past 11 years, Mrs. Campbell has been the librarian at Prairie Park Elementary.   Mrs. Campbell’s influence on Mrs. Turner inspired her to also become a teacher. Mrs. Turner taught in De Soto for five years before moving “home” to Perry in 2007, where she is now coincidentally the librarian at Perry Elementary where Mrs. Campbell was her 2nd grade teacher.

“I am so touched by the idea that Brandi nominated me for a "favorite teacher" award.  When I read the submission, it made me cry because I am so moved by her kind words and fond memories of our second grade that I too share,” said Mrs. Campbell.  “I have been contacted by many former students because of this nomination and cannot express the joy it brings me.   I have been teaching for 28 years and it is the connections I make with students that are so rewarding.  "Run and Hug" is a wonderful opportunity to show teachers that they do make a lasting difference.  I am grateful for this recognition, although I know that many teachers would be just as deserving."

As part of the contest, WhitePages offered to donate $5 to Digital Wish for every nomination and will soon mail a check for $1,025. Digital Wish is a non-profit with a unique mission to modernize K-12 classrooms and prepare students for tomorrow's workforce by creating equity in school systems so that each child has equal access to technology.

Below is the Top 10 List of Nominees for America’s Favorite Teacher contest and their stories:

1. Mrs. Campbell, Perry Elementary, Perry, KS
2. Ms. Hudacek, Lambuth University, Jackson, TN
3. Ms. Gyory, A. G. Richardson Elementary, Culpeper, VA
4. Ms. Fletcher, Homecroft Elementary, Indianapolis, IN
5. Ms. Latessa, Veazie Street Elementary School, Providence, RI
6. Ms. Brumbaugh, Tussey Mountain School, Saxton, PA
7. Ms. Wineland, Highline High School, Burien, WA
8. Mr. Kleefisch, Rockford High School, Rockford, MI
9. Mr. Cytryn, Manzanita Elementary, West Covina, CA
10. Ms. Stegimen, Slonaker Elementary, San Jose, CA

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