Four U-46 teachers win OfficeMax school supplies
Four U-46 teachers were awarded $1,000 worth of classroom supplies today during a surprise visit from OfficeMax employees as part of the company’s 7th annual A Day Made Better program. Winning teachers include sixth-grade teacher Anna Makris from Bartlett Elementary; Learning Disabilities Resource teacher Dotti Rouse from Highland Elementary; first-grade teacher Yaneth Diaz from McKinley Elementary; and Brynn Springer, who teaches first and second grade at Spring Trail Elementary.
“So many of our teachers reach into their own pockets to purchase basic supplies to enhance the classroom experience for their students,” said Dr. José M. Torres. “I am grateful that U-46 students will benefit from the generosity of OfficeMax and its partners.”
According to OfficeMax, the average American teacher spends $1,000 of their personal money on essential back to school supplies. To reduce the financial burden of teachers, OfficeMax partnered with AdoptAClassroom.org to create the A Day Made Better initiative.
Teachers are nominated for A Day Made Better by their principals based on their dedication, passion and innovation in the classroom.
“Anna Makris is so much more than a teacher; she is the heart of her sixth-grade classroom,” said Bartlett Elementary Principal Karen Luebke. “She is all about caring for the whole child. Besides teaching her core curriculum, she calms fears and tears and the children know they can trust her. Anna is never in a bad mood and greets everyone with a smile every single day.”
“Miss Springer was so surprised and so were her students,” said Spring Trail Elementary Principal Amy Kendryna. “One of Miss Springer’s students said it was like a huge birthday present for the class and Miss Springer.”
“Dotti’s work at Highland helps make our school great,” said Highland Elementary Principal Steve Johnson. “Her reach goes well beyond the students on her caseload. Through her leadership with PBIS, she has improved the lives of many students, teachers, staff members, and families. We are an Exemplar PBIS site because of her leadership.”
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