Barnes and Noble’s “My Favorite Teacher” essay contest honors excellence in teaching from the very students being taught. They asked middle and high schools students to submit a short essay about their favorite teachers. The essay subject was how that teacher has influenced their life and why they appreciate and admire them. The Bellevue store received many entries but one stood out. It was a short but passionate essay from Savanah Schafer, a seventh grade student at Kirkland Middle School (KiMS). She wrote about her favorite math teacher, Monica Engquist.

The downtown Bellevue Barnes and Noble store will honor both Monica and Savanah from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on April 14. That date falls during Barnes and Noble’s Educator Appreciation Week. There will also be a book fair that evening. A percentage of the proceeds will go back to KiMS. Savanah’s essay will now be entered in a Regional Awards competition with a chance of winning a NOOK and a $500 Barnes and Noble gift card.