By Karen Donato
Staff Writer
Twenty-four Houlton Elementary School teachers got a little something unexpected during an Oct. 10 workshop. HES staff members were called to the multi-purpose room following lunch for what they assumed would be another part of the agenda for the day, however, Principal Candace Crane greeted them with the music, “We are the Champions” followed by the entrance of Margaret Richards, Walmart community relations associate, and Beth McAfee, department manager. They were carrying bouquets of balloons attached to shopping bags and a $50 gift card for each teacher.
Photo by Karen Donato
TEACHERS ARE SPECIAL — Twenty-four staff members from Houlton Elementary School each received a $50 gift card or supplies from Walmart as part of the Teacher Rewards program to help teachers buy materials and supplies for many of their students who need them. Pictured from left in front: Daphna Harris, Emily Lilley, Katie Fitzpatrick, Jan Martin, Julie Delong, Tara Austin, Lisa Kirk, Brenda Sewell, Julia Lunn, Lori Soucy and Beth McAfee, Walmart department manager. In back: Linda Cowperthwaite, Amanda Howe, Jenny Schools, Crystal Folsom, Sarah Estabrook, Sage Coldwell and Margaret Richards, Walmart community relations associate. Not pictured were: Lauren Fitzpatrick, Cindy Goodrich, Susan McMann, Autumn LaPointe, Earlene McEwen and Ann Rairdon.
As part of the Walmart Teacher Rewards program, local educators are being honored at schools across the country.
This is the sixth year that Walmart has sponsored this program and will donate $5 million to provide 100,000 teachers throughout the United States with reward cards to help offset the cost of classroom expenses at the beginning of the school year.
Many teachers spend hundreds of dollars of their own money to ensure their students have the supplies they need for the school year.
More than 5,000 Walmart stores, distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations are eligible to select one local public school, grades K-8 and provide reward cards to 20 teachers from the school. Those teachers selected can purchase essential items for their classrooms such as: paper, folders, binders, pencils, crayons and markers.
The Teacher Rewards program is an extension of Walmart’s ongoing support of local education initiatives that help students better prepare for their future.
In 2013, Walmart and its Foundation donated more than $44 million to fund education programs.
