Nominations are open for a new program by the Pittsburgh Steelers to recognize pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade teachers who make a significant difference and inspire students.

The Steelers on Tuesday announced the Leaders in the Classroom program, saying that 16 teachers from the southwestern Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia region will be selected for the award.

Recipients will receive $1,000 to buy classroom resources, and each winner also will receive two tickets to the final Steelers home game on Jan. 1 against the Cleveland Browns. At that game, the teachers will be honored with a pre-game reception and an on-field presentation at Heinz Field.

The deadline for nominations is Oct. 30.

For information, visit www.steelers.com/community/leaders-in-the-classroom.html.

Nominations can come from anyone.

The program comes through a partnership with Chevron, which created the Appalachia Partnership Initiative in 2014 as a $20 million investment to prepare students with problem-solving and technical skills required for energy and manufacturing careers.

Other partners are the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, the RAND Corp., and The Grable Foundation.