Amgen to Hand Out $50,000 to 5 Teachers

Now is the time to tell your favorite teachers how much you appreciate them.

And along with your thanks could come a bucket load of cash.

For the seventh consecutive year, biotech giant Amgen in Thousand Oaks will hand out $10,000 each to five public or private schoolteachers in Ventura County who show “extraordinary” contributions in kindergarten through 12th grade, said Lynne Connell Henderson, company spokeswoman.

The money can be spent any way the teacher wishes.

“Many teachers are underpaid,” Henderson said. “Some decide to put the money back into school programs, but others use it to pay their taxes or buy a car.”

Anyone can nominate a teacher--from a 5-year-old student to a district administrator or parent. Entries must include the teacher’s name, grade level, school, city and a brief essay about why the teacher deserves the award.

The more specific the explanation the better, Henderson said. There is no minimum or maximum word count, but one or two pages should do it.

Previous award recipients may not be nominated.

Nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 20 and should be sent to Amgen Award for Teacher Excellence, Amgen Center, Mail Stop 10-2-H, Thousand Oaks 91320-1789.

Or nominations can be sent electronically to Amgen’s Web site:https://www.Amgen.com/TeacherAward

The winners will be announced on April 23. Teachers will receive their awards at a dinner in May.

For information, call Henderson at 447-2303.