Innovative Lincolnshire elementary teacher wins classroom supplies

A Lincolnshire elementary-school teacher received $1,000 worth of free classroom supplies Tuesday morning as part of a nationwide corporate promotion.

LeeAnn Delli, a second-grade teacher at Sprague School, was surprised by the delivery in her classroom. The items many of which were contained in a giant, orange box came from Naperville-based OfficeMax as part of its "A Day Made Better" campaign.

"I was shocked," Delli said. "I didn't understand at first why they were there."

Delli was nominated for the award by Principal Christy Adler. The program, founded in 2007, honors teachers who demonstrate passion, dedication and innovation in the classroom, according to a Lincolnshire-Prairie View School District 103 news release.

Teachers at schools in Elgin, Gurnee, Lombard, Naperville, North Chicago, Palatine, Round Lake Heights, Waukegan and Woodridge were among the other Chicago-area educators honored by OfficeMax.

Delli received a leather office chair, pens, pencils, markers, a label maker and other supplies. She was particularly excited about the digital camera that was part of the package.

"That one will be used all the time," Delli said.

For more on the program and the honorees, visit adaymadebetter.com.