EXPO(R) Spotlights 'America's Most Inspiring Teacher'

Winner of 'EXPO Extraordinary Educator' Award on a Mission to Break 'Text
Speak' and Reinstate Grammar in the Classroom

OAKBROOK, Ill., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Getting 20 kids to embrace their
grammar skills is no different than getting a room full of wedding guests to
hit the dance floor. "You've got to keep 'em motivated," said language arts
teacher (and part-time DJ) Peter Torres of Davie, Fla., grand prize winner of
the EXPO Extraordinary Educator Award.

EXPO, maker of dry erase markers, boards and accessories, launched a
nationwide search for America's most inspiring teacher in July to both honor
educators who go the extra mile and help with some of the costs teachers spend
out of their own pockets on school supplies each year. Torres was selected,
in part, for his unique ability to keep a classroom of technology-obsessed
seventh-graders focused on grammar basics.

Breaking "Text Speak"
According to Torres, there is a time and a place for "text speak" - using a
shorthand "u" for "you," for instance - in today's cell phone-wielding world.
But in the classroom, he says students' increasing use of text messaging to
communicate has taken on even greater concern as it may also stunt their
academic growth. He adds that many students are putting "text language" in
their written materials and presentations.

"Kids these days do not know how to speak in front of people," said Torres.
"They can express themselves in a social setting outside of school, but they
have trouble communicating in writing or when asked a question by an adult."

Torres, who DJs professionally on the side, uses his entertainment skills to
keep language arts units dynamic, engaging and focused on the fundamentals.
His lesson plans include everything from challenging students to correct the
grammar used in rap lyrics to using well-known wizardly novels to get them to
unlock the hidden meanings of select prose.

Torres says his style, which includes use of pop culture, resonates well with
his students from Pioneer Middle School, which is in Cooper City, Fla., 20
miles outside Miami.

"What a shocking and humbling experience to be selected as EXPO's
Extraordinary Educator," said Torres, who has also been known to jump on desks
to keep his students engaged. "I didn't become a teacher hoping to be
recognized but hoping to make a difference. With EXPO's help, I now have more
resources to help students develop the skills, vocabulary and confidence they
need to better express themselves on paper and in person."

"Every teacher is extraordinary, but Peter Torres exemplifies a teacher who
goes above and beyond," said Steve Gradman, global director of marketing for
EXPO. "The EXPO Extraordinary Educator Award is an opportunity for us to say
thanks to Mr. Torres and teachers like him who find unique ways to connect
with their students, while at the same time advancing the teaching profession
with creative ways to engage students and get them excited about learning."

Torres was chosen from hundreds of teachers nominated by students and parents
nationwide. He will receive $5,000 in cash, a year's supply of EXPO products
for his school, a $900 mimio® Interactive Plus Capture kit and a "field trip"
for two to Los Angeles or New York to attend the taping of an NBC Late Night
Talk Show. Teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money each year on
school supplies - an average of $523 and $465, respectively, in large and
medium school systems, according to a 2001 study by the National Education
Association. The EXPO Extraordinary Educator Award is EXPO's way of helping
teachers defray some of those costs.

Helping Teachers from Coast to Coast
In addition to one grand-prize winner, judges selected 11 city prize winners,
who each received $500 cash and $1,000 in EXPO classroom supplies, as well as
a $900 mimio® Interactive Plus Capture kit for their schools. Winning teachers
will also be honored with a special congratulatory television commercial to
air in their hometowns on NBC stations. The 11 city prize winners include the
following:
-- Eileen McCormack-Nicodemus, from Brookfield, Ill.
-- Nicole Marsala, from Coral Springs, Fla.
-- Eileen Hirata, from Gardena, Calif.
-- Severo Perez, from Garland, Texas
-- Virginia Nesmith, from Mitchellville, Md.
-- Erica Walters, from Mountainburg, Ark.
-- Cindy Kobylka, from Napa, Calif.
-- Erin Cain, from New York
-- Jerri Penson, from Sharpsburg, Ga.
-- Erin Rabe, from Temecula, Calif.

-- Kirsten Duoos, from White Bear Lake, Minn.

For more on EXPO Extraordinary Educators, visit www.expoeducator.com.

ABOUT EXPO®
EXPO® is a leader in dry erase markers, accessories and dry erase boards.
Newell Rubbermaid's Office Products Group, maker of EXPO® markers, is a
worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments,
art products and office organization and technology tools, including such well
known brands as Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, DYMO® Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO®,
uni-ball®, and Rolodex®, among others. Visit www.expomarkers.com for more
information.

SOURCE EXPO

Dan Kurash of Weber Shandwick, +1-312-988-2314, dkurash@webershandwick.com,
for EXPO; or Susan Wassel of EXPO, +1-630-481-2018, susan.wassel@sanford.com