Wal-Mart Sponsors a "Back-To-School"
Shopping Spree for DCPS Teachers
Educators of Change Teachers given $5,100 to buy school supplies
JACKSONVILLE - On August 14, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. donated $5,100 to the first "class" of Educators of Change (EOC). EOC is a new local program designed to staff classrooms with dedicated, passionate teachers who already have demonstrated leadership in another field of work or through volunteer work.
For this back-to-school event, Wal-Mart gave $300 to each of the first 17 Educators of Change, and hosted a shopping spree at the Wal-Mart Supercenter located at 4250 Philips Highway. This was the the second donation Wal-Mart has made to the Educators of Change program in the last year. Previously, Wal-Mart contributed $35,000 to fund the start of the program, which helped recruit qualified teachers.
"Educators Of Change is a unique program for non-traditional teachers to enter the classroom and begin a path toward a rewarding career," said Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals. "We appreciate Wal-Mart's generosity in assisting these teachers with the supplies needed to begin the 2008/2009 school year."
Once recruited, teachers are faced with insufficient budgets for necessary classroom supplies, and some teachers even pay for supplies out of their own pockets. Wal-Mart's contribution seeks to help offset some of those out-of-pocket expenses Educator of Change teachers incur.
"Few things impact a student's perception of learning more than an energetic, caring and qualified teacher," said Cindi Marsiglio, Wal-Mart senior manager of public affairs. "This program brought outstanding new teachers to students who need them and we are excited to help them prepare for the year."
More DCPS News
