HOULTON — Six teachers in Aroostook County received the exciting news from U.S. Cellular that their classroom projects had been funded through the company’s Calling All Teachers campaign. The wireless carrier worked with philanthropic
website DonorsChoose.org to fund $500,000 in creative and impactful classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. The local donation of $4,088 benefitted teachers at the following schools: Fort Kent Elementary School; Maine School of Science & Math in Limestone; Madawaska Middle High School; Central Aroostook Junior and Senior High School in Mars Hill; Wellington School in Monticello; and Presque Isle Middle School.
Photo by Karen Donato
CALLING ALL TEACHERS — Principal Cindy Peterson and her third-grade class were selected to receive an Apple iPad from US Cellular as part of its “Calling All Teachers” promotion. Making the presentation to Peterson and her class were Gary Hebert, US Cellular regional manager from Presque Isle accompanied by mascot “Celby” the cell phone. Class members are from left: Paige Campagna, Abby Cox, Emma Foreman, Mariah Peterson, Aiden Murdock, Cody Johnston, Elizabeth Dahlk, Braden White, Hanna Foreman and Madalyn Quirk.
Cindy Peterson, principal at Wellington School, said her school has now been selected twice in the past two years for the DonorsChoose.org program.
Last year, the school received two document web cameras.
“Each classroom has at least one iPad through district funds,” Peterson said. “This iPad will be used on a daily basis for math review programs.”
U.S. Cellular is dedicated to supporting education and the pressing needs of schools, and Calling All Teachers is one of the ways the company gives back to local communities.
“Teachers work very hard to make every student’s learning experience meaningful and fun, and U.S. Cellular is proud to support teachers’ efforts,” said Matt Kasper, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in New England. “We are dedicated to communities in Maine and excited to contribute to the education of local students through this program.”
Teachers across the country posted classroom projects that covered a variety of topics, including language and literacy, math and science, music and the arts, health and sports and special needs. Some asked for audiobooks and math learning supplies, iPads and document readers, greenhouse and garden supplies, digital cameras, and books, books, and more books.
“U.S. Cellular’s continued support of education is helping to make an impact in schools across the nation,” said Charles Best, founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org. “The company’s donations allow teachers to do more in the classroom, and our children reap the benefits.”
Also, starting on Nov. 4, U.S. Cellular is bringing back its Calling All Communities campaign for the fifth year. Schools can rally community support for the chance to win a share of $500,000 to fund what their students need the most. The top 20 schools that garner the most community votes will each win $25,000 to use as they wish to improve their educational experience. Additional information is available at www.uscellular.com.
