Technology

Celebrating Teachers: Final Week to Nominate Outstanding Educators for Crystal Apple Awards

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2025

School Specialty aims to recognize teachers who lead with passion and inspire others with its 11th annual award program

GREENVILLE, Wis., March 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — School Specialty, a leading provider of learning environments, instructional solutions, and supplies for education from birth to grade 12, is proud to celebrate outstanding educators with its 11th annual Crystal Apple Awards. If you know an educator who embodies inspiration, leadership, and passion, act fast—nominations for the award program close in one week on Monday, March 10.

Each year, students, parents, administrators, and fellow teachers nominate teachers who, like last year’s inspiring finalists and winners, go above and beyond to touch the lives of students every day. This year, School Specialty is expanding its award program to 16 finalists from the nominees and five winners who are then selected by public vote.

Crystal Apple Finalists receive a $100 School Specialty merchandise certificate for themselves and an additional $100 certificate for their school. This year’s winners will each receive a personalized trophy and a $500 gift certificate from School Specialty for themselves, as well as a $250 School Specialty gift certificate for their school.

“School Specialty is privileged to support the incredible educators who work tirelessly for their students,” said Dr. Sue Ann Highland, National Education Strategist at School Specialty. “We understand that while teachers are dedicated to shaping young minds, they often struggle to access the resources they need. The Crystal Apple Award is our way of honoring their hard work and providing them with the tools to bring their classroom aspirations to life.”

Anyone can nominate their favorite educator until March 10, 2025, at https://www.schoolspecialty.com/crystal-apple. Public voting on nominees will be open from April 7 to 13, 2025, and the winners will be announced on April 22.

About School Specialty, LLC
With a 60-year legacy, School Specialty is a leading provider of comprehensive learning environment solutions for the pre-K–12 education marketplace in the U.S. and Canada. This includes essential classroom supplies, furniture and design services, educational technology, sensory spaces featuring Snoezelen®, science curriculum, learning resources, professional development, and more. School Specialty believes every student can flourish in an environment where they are engaged and inspired to learn and grow. In support of this vision to transform more than classrooms, the company applies its unmatched team of subject-matter experts and designs, manufactures, and distributes a broad assortment of name-brand and proprietary products. For more information, go to SchoolSpecialty.com.

Media Contact
Stephanie Grau
schoolspecialty@finnpartners.com

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SOURCE School Specialty

Technology

Why We Still Appreciate Bada Shanren’s Works Today

Published

6 minutes ago

October 19, 2026

NANCHANG, China, Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Jiangxi International Communication Center (JXICC): The year 2026 marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of Bada Shanren. He was an outstanding master of Chinese calligraphy and painting. His works are treasures of traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting, embodying profound Chinese aesthetics and humanistic heritage, and exerting a far-reaching influence on international art.

Recently, the Event for the 400th Birth Anniversary of Bada Shanren “The Cosmos as Inner Heart: International Youth Step Into Bada Shanren’s World of Art” was held in Qingyunpu District, Nanchang City, Jiangxi Province— the hometown of Bada Shanren. Chinese and foreign youth representatives and guests from 19 countries and regions including the United States, Russia, Morocco, Turkmenistan and the Republic of Korea participated.

Brushstrokes Without Borders: A Cross-Cultural Art Dialogue

Four hundred years of ink transcends borders. Even with different cultural backgrounds and languages, people can transcend cultural differences and feel the resonance brought by art. Khollii, a Tajik student studying in Jiangxi, was captivated by the distinctive charm of Bada Shanren’s artworks and shared her story about brushstrokes, “This powerful personal expression aligns closely with the pursuit of individuality in Western modern art.”

Bada Shanren’s 400-Year-Old Inner Story Unfolds to Twin Students

Mexican twin international students Luis and Erick are studying in Jiangxi. At first, they were confused by Bada Shanren’s paintings, depicting fish and birds with upturned eyes amid expansive blank spaces. After learning about the artist’s life, they sensed the unyielding emotion in his brushwork. They hope to act as a cultural bridge, sharing the timeless charm of this Jiangxi master’s art with global audiences.

Why We Still Appreciate Bada Shanren’s Works Today

Why do we still appreciate Bada Shanren’s works today? As a foreigner, Mickie from Panama has her answer. To understand Bada Shanren’s works do not need mastery of classical Chinese, thorough knowledge of the complex history of the Ming Dynasty, or deep research into every detail of his life. “Simply feeling the emotions conveyed in his paintings can spark a spiritual dialogue across hundreds of years.”

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/why-we-still-appreciate-bada-shanrens-works-today-302912481.html

SOURCE Jiangxi International Communication Center(JXICC)