Chino, CA: BRIGHT START EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANTS is a national company who trains parents on literacy, personal wellness, effective parenting and developing success in their children - Bright Start Educational Consultants announces the launch of its' TOUCHING THE HEART AWARDS SHOW to be held on July 17, 2004 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.

Bright Start will spotlight TEACHERS at their 1st Annual National Touching the Heart Awards, which recognize and spotlights teachers who are making a difference in today's community. They have the spirit and passion of what teaching is about!!!

According to Bright Start's President, Gary Sonora Surdam:"From the very beginning of our company, we felt that there is more to being a teacher than just teaching material. It takes a teacher that can touch the hearts of the children to make a difference. A teacher that can touch a child's heart can change the world. When your life has been touched, you are never the same."

Anyone can nominate a teacher. Along with your application, submit a 1,500 words-or-less essay about the person nominated. Entries are broken into three (3) categories - teachers in elementary, middle school and high school (3 finalists in each category). Nomination deadline is April 7, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. via U.S. mail or email. Finalists will be notified on May 7th. Two special awards will also be given to teachers - one is selected through submissions by current or former students, and the other is a special Legacy Award selected by Bright Start.