On October 8, Angela Jordan, a teacher at
Gregory Drive
Elementary, was rewarded with $1,000 worth of free school supplies, sponsored
through OfficeMax's "A Day Made Better" campaign.
Angela was surprised when the principal, vice principal and
a few of her students entered the classroom and presented her with a banner and
framed certificate early Friday morning. Nicole Spence from OfficeMax greeted
Angela and explained that she had been nominated by her principal for this
award.
Angela received a box filled with supplies, including a
digital camera, a new chair and other goodies for her and her students. She
was so touched by the gifts, she had to reach into her cabinet and pull out a
box of tissues to wipe away her tears of happiness.
According to national studies conducted by the National
Education Association, teachers spend nearly $1,000 out of their own pockets
each year for basic classroom supplies – adding up, nationally, to about $4
billion a year.
The campaign, in its fourth year, is sponsored by
OfficeMax, along with their non-profit partner, Adopt-A-Classroom, to provide
economic relief to teachers. Each of Jacksonville's six OfficeMax retail stores
and distribution centers collaborated with principals to nominate the one
teacher they believe exemplifies a passion for learning and innovative classroom
techniques.
Along with Angela, Diane Fulp, from
Joseph Finegan
Elementary, also received a surprise visit from OfficeMax and was presented with
her own box of free supplies, a new chair and a stack of copy paper. After
taking a few minutes to enjoy the gifts with her students, Diane informed
everyone she and her students had to get back to work because they had a test to
take, which confirmed how seriously she takes her job and how much she cares for
her students.
Michele Deloach, from
Mayport Elementary, and Brenda
Richards, from
West Jacksonville Elementary, were also recipients of the 2010 “A
Day Made Better” Program and received gifts of their own to share with their
students.
While only four DCPS' teachers were recognized locally,
more than 1,000 educators across the United States were honored through this
philanthropic program. OfficeMax's 'A Day Made Better,' one of the largest
national grassroots school advocacy campaigns in history, is an effort to
eliminate "teacher-funded" classrooms.
For more pictures from the OfficeMax "A Day Made Better" campaign, visit the
DCPS' flickr photostream.
More 'Spotlight on Education' Articles
