The “Academy Awards for Teachers” gets underway this weekend and one local teacher is among an elite group of 45 getting ready to spend a week in Anaheim for fun, learning and celebration. 

Top Nguyen, a sixth grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary in Valencia, is up for the prestigious Disney Teacher of the Year title.

In May, 45 teachers from across the country were chosen from more than 50,000 nominations to receive the 2005 Disney Teacher Award in celebration of their creativity, innovative teaching methods, and ability to inspire their students.

“This week offers us a chance to treat teachers like the stars that they are. We are proud to offer recognition, rewards and lots of fun and attention during the week for these amazing teachers,” said Terry Wick, vice president of Disney Worldwide Outreach. “This week is also the kick-off of the professional development opportunities which we hope will ultimately benefit each teacher’s school and community when they return home. We invite all of the Los Angeles area schools to celebrate the accomplishments of these and all of the area’s outstanding teachers.”

During the week, the teachers will be celebrated at a black-tie Awards Gala, be featured during a Disneyland Main Street Parade and Ceremony at Cinderella’s Castle, attend VIP events and receptions, and share teaching strategies with their fellow award-winning teachers. During the Gala, four Honorees will be awarded as Outstanding Teachers and one will be named the 2005 Disney Teacher of the Year.

The Honorees received $10,000, this week of celebration, $5,000 for their schools, and a six-day professional development institute with their principals. At the institute, teachers share ideas to refine their innovative teaching approaches and learn how to engage other teachers to build an effective collaborative teaching culture at their schools.

The four Outstanding Teachers and the Disney Teacher of the Year chosen this week will each receive an additional $15,000 from Disney Worldwide Outreach.

Disney Teacher Honorees are selected by their peers—former Disney Teacher Honorees and representatives of leading educational associations from across the United States. Honorees come from every subject field and every level of K-12 teaching. Nominations for the 2006 Disney Teacher Awards will be open in mid-August. For more information on the awards process, please visit www.disneyhand.com