It has been said that educators have one of the most challenging jobs — so it is no wonder October is dedicated to teacher appreciation.
Members of the Walmart team kicked off the first day of the teacher appreciation month Monday by awarding $50 gift certificates to 20 Iola Middle School teachers, through its Teacher Reward program.
“It is estimated that teachers use $500 out of their own money to buy supplies each year,” Iola Walmart manager Jeff Livingston said.
Budget cuts have substantially hit schools since 2008, illustrating the fact even more.
These awards come at a perfect time, “especially when there isn’t much funding,” USD 257 Superintendent Brian Pekarek said.
“The number one supply teachers buy most is copy paper,” Walmart market manager Jeff Hunter said.
Iola Middle School was chosen by Walmart associates.
“We asked our 150 associates, maybe some of your moms and dads, what school they would like to give the gift cards to and they chose this school,” Livingston said.
Twenty students were given the fun task of picking teacher’s names out of a bucket and each time a teacher was called out the students cheered and showed just as much excitement as the teacher for their award.
The teachers who won the awards were Cindy Carr, Kelly Nordt, Becky South, Regina Young, Susan Harris, Linda Heffern, Jon Mior, Pam Riebel, Muffy Fehr, Kayla Toliaferro, Roger Carlin, Meryl McRae, Susan Walters, Vera Shafer, Ona Chapman, Scott Ellis, Jean Johns, Matt Kloepfer, Greta Adams and John Wilson.
