Doherty Enterprises-owned Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar restaurants in Florida and Georgia recently announced the official start of their eighth annual Above and “BEE”yond Teacher Essay Contest.

The annual essay contest recognizes top teachers – as nominated by their classroom students – rewarding the educators with a $500 sponsorship check and special end-of-year class party.

The essay contest is open at participating Applebee’s restaurants in Florida and Georgia that are owned and operated by local franchisee, Doherty Enterprises.

One deserving teacher from each school district throughout 13 counties in Florida and Georgia will be awarded with a $500 sponsorship check to use toward their classroom for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, along with an end-of-year party for their current class.

To nominate a teacher and enter the contest, students must submit an essay in-person at their local Applebee’s explaining why their teacher deserves to be Applebee’s “Teacher of the Year.”

Elementary school students are required to nominate their teacher with a half page essay, while middle and high school students are required to write a 500-word essay on why their teacher is most deserving. As an additional incentive, students who enter an essay will also receive a free ice cream certificate for later use.

Essay submissions are limited to one per student and will be accepted at participating Applebee’s restaurants now through Sunday, March 17, no later than 10 p.m. Winners will be announced on Friday, April 19, and end-of-year parties will be thrown before Friday, June 14. If end-of-year parties are not viable, class parties will be replaced with two Free-Dinner-for-Four certificates for the winning essay writer.

Applebee’s Above and ‘BEE’yond Teacher Essay Contest entries will be accepted at the following Applebee’s locations owned and operated by Doherty Enterprises in:

Florida: Cape Coral, Cutler Bay, Delray Beach, Fort Myers, Fort Pierce, Greenacres, Hialeah, Jacksonville, Margate, Naples, North Port, Okeechobee, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Punta Gorda, Sarasota, St. Augustine, Tamarac, Venice, Vero Beach, and West Palm Beach.

Georgia: Waycross.