May 9, 2006

Contact: Staci Maiers    (202) 822-7823, 
 

NEA Member Named “Super Hero Teacher of the Year”

New Jersey Middle School Teacher Awarded Grand Prize in National Search

WASHINGTON -- Superheroes have extraordinary powers and a unique gift for making the impossible possible.  Herm Hoffmann, a science teacher at Henry C. Beck Middle School in Cherry Hill, N.J., and a National Education Association member, possesses such qualities and today was named “Super Hero Teacher of the Year” by OfficeMax, TeachersCount and Marvel Entertainment as part of the first-ever search for America’s superhero teacher. 

Hoffman was nominated by his sixth-grade student Rachel Benigno and selected from among more than 4,200 middle school teachers nationwide for his savvy teaching style and knack for making everyday lesson plans extraordinary.

“We congratulate Herm for bringing his superhero skills into the classroom and brightening the lives of thousands of students during his career,” said NEA President Reg Weaver.  “As a middle school science teacher, I know the heroic feat involved in making lessons exciting and fascinating for pre-teens.  Herm has a remarkable record of achievements, and we’re proud to count him among our members.”

Hoffman and Benigno will make cameo appearances in a Marvel comic book, and will be featured in a special collector’s edition comic book honoring teachers due out this summer at OfficeMax locations nationwide.  Hoffman will receive a $6,000 prize package, including an OfficeMax gift card, school supplies and $1,000 for professional development.  Benigno will receive a $500 OfficeMax gift card in addition to her comic book appearance. 

The contest began in January and encouraged students in grades six through eight to nominate a teacher by writing an essay on “Why My Teacher is a Super Hero.”  The judging committee consisted of representatives from NEA, OfficeMax, Marvel Entertainment, TeachersCount and the American Federation of Teachers.

Benigno’s winning essay was a poem about Hoffman’s unique teaching style, heart-warming personality and one-of-a-kind lesson plans.  As part of her essay, Benigno wrote, “Herm Hoffmann is the man; he’s noble, brave, and true, his example of selfless giving teaches us what we should do.  A hero is a person who helps others with great deeds, his guidance, patience, and caring nurture us like little seeds.”  To view her complete essay, visit www.teacherscount.org/contest .  

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.