OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington State Employees Credit Union is onceagain teaming up with Seattle's local radio station KOMO AM-1000and the Seattle Mariners to salute Washington's finestteachers.

This is the second year the credit union has sponsored the“Teacher of the Week” promotion, which recognizes 24 teachers whoignite imaginations and inspire success in their students.

Nominations are submitted by community members via formsavailable only in WSECU branches or from the credit union's Website. “Teacher of the Week” winners receive a $500 classroom grantand seats in the KOMO News suite to watch a Mariners game at SafecoField in Seattle.

Radio spots promoting WSECU's sponsorship air during every radiobroadcast of Mariner games on KOMO AM-1000 until the nominationperiod closes June 30, 2007.

“We couldn't have been happier with our sponsorship last year,”said Kristina Walters, WSECU vice president of marketing. “Whilestate employees still make up our core membership, we've been opento public school employees for several years now, but it'sdifficult to grow that part of our market. The partnership withKOMO and the Mariners gives us great exposure with the educationcommunity and provides well-deserved recognition for educators.Associating WSECU's name with the Mariners' team spirit makes itjust that much more exciting for our credit union.”

Last year there were 350 nominations for the Teacher of the Weekpromotion. Walters added that she expects that number to increasethis year.

“We knew we were doing something really special when we saw thelooks on the faces of the winners last year,” Walters said.“Teachers from all over, some of whom had never been to a Mariners'game, let alone view it from a luxury suite, were thrilled with therecognition. In addition to all the publicity, we also are getting24 excited ambassadors from around the state that have a wonderfulstory to share with their peers about what WSECU did for them.”