FIRST-EVER "TEACHER WEEK" TO SHOWCASE TEACHERS FROM ACROSS THE NATION IN THE "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE" HOT SEAT!
"Teacher Week" To Air In National Syndication December 5 - 9, 2005
NOVEMBER 22, 2005 (NEW YORK, NY) — For the first time ever, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," with Emmy Award-winning host, Meredith Vieira, will present an entire week of shows with teachers in the hot seat, during a special "Teacher Week" edition. The shows were taped at the ABC studios in New York City on Monday, October 24, 2005 and will air December 5 - 9. Check local listings.
Many of the teachers who were selected for the show were auditioned at the annual Disney Teacher Awards Gala at Disneyland, in July, 2005. The event recognizes teachers who were nominated by their community as an exceptional teacher and were selected as a Disney Teacher Award Honoree.
"I have a very special place in my heart for teachers," said "Millionaire" host Meredith Vieira. "Growing up, my teachers were some of the most influential people in my life. Teaching is tireless work and I've always been so impressed by the dedication that teachers show both in and out of the classroom. I'm thrilled to be giving these teachers the opportunity to win $1 million and show them our appreciation for all that they do."
This marks the first time that "Millionaire" will be producing an entire week of shows featuring teachers in the hot seat. Since the syndicated version of the game show premiered in 2002, over sixty-five teachers have participated as contestants, one of whom walked away with the top prize. Nancy Christy, an 8th grade English teacher from Tulsa, OK, became the first woman to win $1 million on the U.S. version of "Millionaire." Christy continues to teach 8th grade English at Carver Middle School in Tulsa, OK.
AIRING MONDAY, DECEMBER 5:
Kim Austin (from Bemus Point, NY) — Teaches 5th grade at Washington Middle School in Jamestown, NY
Jeffrey Thompson (from Olympia, WA) — Teaches Kindergarten at Evergreen Elementary in Fort Lewis, WA (holdover, airing 12/06 as well)
AIRING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6:
Dano Beal (from Seattle, WA) — Teaches 2nd grade for gifted and talented students at Lafayette Elementary in Seattle, WA
Dean Eastman (from Andover, MA) — Teaches History for grades 10-12 at Beverly High School in Beverly, MA (holdover, airing 12/07 as well)
AIRING WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7:
Marianne Mena (from Sylmar, CA) — Teaches Special Education for 2nd & 3rd graders at Harding Street School in Sylmar, CA
Randy Wormald (from Salisbury, NH) — Teaches Math for grades 9-12 at Belmont High School in Belmont, NH (holdover, airing 12/08 as well)
AIRING THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8:
Cindy Pochomis (from Newark, DE) — Teaches Special Education for 5th graders at Richardson Park Learning Center in Wilmington, DE
Wanda Jennings (from Boise, ID) — Teaches 1st grade at Jefferson Elementary in Boise, ID (holdover, airing 12/09 as well)
AIRING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9:
Paul Picconi (from Boonton Township, NJ) — Teaches Basic Skills Improvement in Reading & Math for grades 4-6 at John Hill School in Boonton, NJ
Disney Teacher Awards:
Since 1989, Disney has proudly presented the Disney Teacher Awards, a celebration of outstanding and highly creative members of the teaching profession. Each year, Disney Teacher Award honorees are selected from thousands of submissions that are sent in anonymously by students and parents, community members and fellow teachers. Honored teachers are celebrated each year in July, at a red-carpet awards gala at Disneyland. During the gala, four Honorees are selected as Outstanding Teachers and one teacher is named the Disney Teacher of the Year. For more information, visit www.disneyhand.com.
Meredith Vieira and the "Millionaire" Team:
"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" currently is in its fourth season in national syndication and is hosted by Meredith Vieira, who is fresh off of her 2005 Daytime Emmy win for Outstanding Game Show Host. She is only the second woman to win an Emmy in that category. Vieira also is a critically-acclaimed broadcaster and moderator of ABC Daytime's "The View." "Millionaire" is produced by Valleycrest Productions and is distributed by Buena Vista Television. Michael Davies, Paul Smith and Leigh Hampton are executive producers. Meredith Vieira is Co-Executive Producer. Go to www.millionairetv.com for more information.
Photos from "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and of host, Meredith Vieira, can be downloaded at www.bvtvpress.com (UserID: bvtvpress1, Login: bvtvpress1).
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