A Day Made Better Campaign honors elementary teachers

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AISD elementary teachers Treneka Cothron and Lita Killebrew received huge surprises on October 5 as representatives from two OfficeMax store locations visited their schools with more than $1,000 worth of supplies each.

Cothron, of Conley Elementary School, and Killebrew, of Kujawa Elementary School, were two of 1,000 teachers at 1,000 schools who were selected by their principals to be recognized as part of “A Day Made Better,” OfficeMax’s national cause campaign facilitated in partnership with nonprofit Adopt-A-Classroom to end teacher-funded classrooms.

OfficeMax worked with Adopt-A-Classroom to identify schools and teachers in need across the United States. The principals were then asked to nominate one teacher who exemplified passion, dedication and innovation in the classroom. Principal Katy Roede of Conley Elementary School nominated Cothron.

“Ms. Cothron is dedicated to produce a well-rounded child,” said Roede. “She is chairperson of the cheerleaders and pep squad and is the founding chairperson of our T.I.E. Guys organization that provides boys with skills that will help them as they mature and develop into young men.

“She is an exemplary educator who uses her own time and money to help her students achieve.”

Killebrew was nominated by Principal Debra Thomas of Kujawa Elementary School.

“Mrs. Killebrew is a dedicated teacher who brings a lot of energy to her classroom,” said Thomas. “She is loved by her students and respected by her peers. We are lucky to have her.”

The boxes were filled with supplies containing colors, markers, pens, folders, binders, clips, Kleenex, and scissors. Big-ticket items included a Sony Cyber–Shot DSC-750 7.2 megapixel camera, an Epson Stylus NX200 All-in-One Printer, an OfficeMax Zeal Leather Task Chair, and a Brother P-Touch 80 Labeler. The box also included a highly valued item on campuses: five reams of photocopying paper.

“This was another teachable moment. This honor is a real-world example of what I tell my students daily: You never know who is watching and hard work does pay off in the end. I am truly appreciative,” said Cothron.

Killebrew was caught off guard when she and her class arrived at the campus library and saw her principal and fellow fourth-grade teachers assembled along with two representatives from OfficeMax.

“What a wonderful honor,” Killebrew said. “I don’t know what to say. I want to thank OfficeMax and Mrs. Thomas for nominating me. We will put these supplies to good use.”

OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom developed the campaign to provide economic relief to teachers and encourage national support of schools. According to a 2009 OfficeMax survey and a National Education Association survey in 2005, teachers spend on average $1,000 of their own money each year to offset school budget shortfalls and ensure their students have the necessary classroom resources for learning.

Raul Herrera, OfficeMax manager of the FM 1960 store location, said he and his staff were proud and happy to help teachers and therefore students.

“We’re all proud to be a part of OfficeMax’s A Day Made Better campaign,” said Herrera. “I know of at least 20 teachers in the area who were honored. These teachers go above and beyond the call of duty. This is a great opportunity to recognize their hard work and dedication as well as to help them with much needed classroom supplies.”

Marianne Alcorn, the store manager of The Woodlands location, echoed her cohort’s sentiments.

“We at OfficeMax know teachers dig into their own wallets to purchase supplies for their students and their classrooms,” Alcorn said.

“This is our way of saying thank you for the wonderful job teachers across the Houston area, Texas and the nation do in educating our children. We are happy to recognize them for the vital role they play in our nation.”

For more information about A Day Made Better or how you can help schools and teachers, visit www.adaymadebetter.com.