Top teachers will be honored with the ninth annual Red Apple Awards, sponsored by the United Way of Butler County, Armstrong, the Early Care and Education Council, and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.

These awards are given to educators who exemplify outstanding dedication to students, leadership among their peers, and a commitment to the wider community, according to a United Way news release.

Nominations, which may be made by anyone, have a deadline of March 30.

An award will be given to one kindergarten to high school educator in each of the county school districts, Butler, Karns City, Mars, Moniteau, Seneca Valley, Slippery Rock and South Butler, and one to a teacher at the Butler County Vo-Tech School.

Awards will also be presented to an instructor or professor at Butler County Community College and at Slippery Rock University.

New this year, a Red Apple Award will be presented to one pre-kindergarten educator.

Awardees will be announced in May and honored at the United Way Annual Breakfast Meeting June 20 at Founders Hall at BC3, the release said.

Additionally, a $500 cash award will be given to each winner to be used in the school building or department represented by the winning educator. These cash awards are sponsored by businesses and organizations.

In 2011, $5,000 in cash grants benefitted 1,434 students and more than 100 faculty members with music, fitness, science, and technology equipment. It also covered fees for student certifications, uniforms and equipment.

Nomination forms for the Red Apple Awards are available at any eligible school building, the United Way office, Lifesteps, and Armstrong Cable on Benbrook Road and in Zelienople.

You can also print a nomination form online at www.butlerunitedway.org.

Nomination forms may be mailed to the United Way of Butler County, 184 Pittsburgh Road, Butler, PA 16001 or faxed to 724-287-1470.

For information, contact Kathleen Treme', AFL-CIO Labor and Community Services liaison for the United Way, at 724-285-4883, Ext. 223.