OfficeMax rewards six Lake County teachers
For some Lake County teachers, Tuesday could not have been any better.
Thanks to OfficeMax and the “A Day Made Better” program, more than 1,000 teachers nationwide received surprise deliveries of classroom supplies worth a total of $1 million.
Six Lake County teachers, including Hawthorn Elementary North's Alyssa Munch and Laura B. Sprague's Diane Ferron, each received $1,000 worth of supplies.
Hawthorn North's principal Robert Collins nominated Munch, a fifth-grade teacher at the Vernon Hills school.
“She's a very strong teacher and she really reflects on best practices. She reflects all the time about her teaching and is really in tune and meets the needs of all her children,” Collins said.
Munch was surprised in her classroom by OfficeMax employees from the Vernon Hills store, her family, and co-workers. She was quickly surrounded by her joyful students at the announcement.
“It's exciting to see them (students) appreciate the stuff you do too,” Munch said. “Even when you are having a tough day, they come in, give you a hug. They make you smile. They really appreciate the extra effort you put in. I love it.”
About an hour later in Lincolnshire, Sprague second grade teacher Diane Ferron received the same great news. Employees of the Deerfield store delivered the message and the gifts.
Sprague's principal Christy Adler submitted Ferron's name to OfficeMax.
“Mrs. Ferron has created a dynamic classroom environment that is innovative and engaging. She truly deserves recognition for her outstanding efforts and successes with over 200 second grade students who have walked the halls of Sprague School and had the privilege of having Mrs. Ferron as their teacher,” Adler said.
Ferron dug into the box of supplies with her students, holding up items for all to see.
“It was incredible. Very unexpected and very well appreciated,” she said.
Other Lake County teachers honored were Colleen Hill of W.J. Murphy Elementary School in Round Lake Park, Annette Aas of Spaulding Elementary in Gurnee, Tracy Russo of Wauconda Grade School and Melissa Wise of Greenwood Elementary School in Waukegan.
Some of the stores provided items to the entire school as well.