Deadline to nominate your favorite Renton educator is coming up.

The 2018 Ahead of the Class nominations will close midnight on Feb. 16.

The Ahead of the Class award program is a partnership between the Renton Chamber of Commerce, Renton public and private schools, and Renton businesses. It is part of the chamber’s effort to provide individuals, businesses, and organizations the opportunity to invest in the youth. The program’s aim is to enhance community awareness of the excellence of education in Renton.

A selection committee of local volunteers will read through the applications and pick 10 finalists to interview. The finalists are notified and Blitz along with local officials show up at the classroom and inform the teacher they are a finalist and present their official invitation to attend the awards ceremony.

Last year 201 nominations came in and 47 were invited to submit applications.

This year’s award ceremony is 7 to 9 p.m., April 5 at the VMAC. The top five are awarded a $500 cash prize the remaining five receive $100 each along with an engraved award.

To submit your nomination, visit http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07ef0pgkwejc9cwvzi/a0215hjdnhszq0/greeting.

For more information about the program, visit http://www.gorenton.com/.