Episodes to air Feb. 15-28

CULVER CITY, CALIF. (February 8, 2012) – Teachers have the power to inspire and change lives.  Beginning Feb. 15, “Jeopardy!” will salute our nation’s educators by hosting its second-ever Teachers Tournament.  The tournament will feature 15 top K-12 teachers, vying for the $100,000 grand prize and a guaranteed spot in the “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions.

“Teachers play such a vital role in shaping the lives of the students in their classrooms,” said “Jeopardy!” Executive Producer Harry Friedman.  “Teachers are so oftentimes underappreciated and underpaid.  I can’t think of a better way to show our gratitude than with a tournament of their own.”

The following teachers will compete:

The second place winner will earn a minimum of $50,000 and third place $25,000.  Semifinalists receive $10,000, and contestants eliminated in the first round receive $5,000. In addition, each teacher will receive a Classroom “Jeopardy!” unit for their school courtesy of Educational Insights, maker of Classroom “Jeopardy!”

“This year’s teachers are not only intelligent, but incredibly quick on the buzzer,” said “Jeopardy!” Host Alex Trebek.  “This will be one of the closest tournaments in the show’s history.  I can’t think of any other one that’s been more evenly matched.”

“Jeopardy!,” the winner of 29 Emmy awards, including the 2011 Emmy for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Program, was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records for the most awards won by a TV Game Show. The series is the #1-rated quiz show in syndication with 25 million viewers each week.  “Jeopardy!” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company. It is distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by CBS Television International, both units of CBS Corp.

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