From the 1980's to the 1990's Disney Channel had an annual tradition every year called The American Teacher Awards that gave school teachers from elementary schools high schools colleges and universities special awards for their outstanding achievements and to be nominated Disney Channel sent forms to schools for students for their teachers to be chosen to appear on the show. The teachers also sang a special song which varied through each year the awards show aired. Despite a annual tradition Disney Channel stopped production of The American Teacher Awards due to the channel's new image in 2002