Nominate Your Teacher to Win $50 to OfficeMax for National Cause (A Day Made Better)
Nominate Your Teacher to Win $50 to OfficeMax for National Cause
On behalf of the “A Day Made Better” cause for teachers, you can nominate your favorite
teacher to win a gift card to OfficeMax for school supplies!
Teachers are really incredible! They touch so many lives every day and open the doors
to opportunity in every way, shape and form. I’ve gotten to know my kids’ teachers over
the past few years and have seen first hand their incredible contributions.
With school budgets cuts, teachers are taking matters into their own hands by
purchasing their own classroom materials. According to the National Education
Association, teachers are spending about $1,000 each year on supplies for their class,
which is pretty astonishing. Can you imagine if your job asked you to bring your own
tape, scissors, and paper? There would be a backlash, but somehow, teachers have
silently picked up the tab…until now.
That’s why I’ve joined the Max Moms for Teachers program to help create awareness
and give back to teachers. The Max Moms are working in collaboration with the
national “A Day Made Better” cause founded by OfficeMax and nonprofit Adopt-A-
Classroom to help erase teacher-funded classrooms. Annually in October, they host a
national event that recognizes and rewards over 1,000 teachers with a total of $1 million
in school supplies to help alleviate the financial burden and thank them for their hard
work.
You too can join in this cause and give back to a deserving teacher by nominating your
favorite teacher to receive a $50 gift card for school supplies donated by OfficeMax.
You’ll also receive an A Day Made Better cause box, and we encourage you to purchase
supplies for your favorite teacher and surprise him or her in her classroom.
Entry Requirements
1) For a chance to enter and win, please post a comment below that describe why the
teacher you’d like to nominate is 1) Passionate; 2) Dedicated and 3) Innovative.
2) As an additional entry, you can visit ‘A Day Made Better’ on Facebook and post a
comment about why you believe teachers deserve our support.
We look forward to your nominations and will announce the winner on Friday 10/7/11!
Terms & Disclosure: No purchase necessary to be eligible for a chance to enter or win. The
winner will be selected randomly through http://random.org. The gift card was provided by
OfficeMax as part of its cause for teachers. The views written here are my opinion.
Comments
38 Responses to “Nominate Your Teacher to Win $50 to OfficeMax for National Cause (A Day Made Better)”
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October 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Mrs. Hinton of Newark Charter School is an excellent teacher and deserves to be nominated! She has made my daughter’s first school experience so wonderful so far, and she deals with kindergarten children every day, which makes her close to a saint! = ) She is 1) Passionate because when you are in her presence around the children, you can tell that she loves every moment of shaping their young lives. She is 2) Dedicated because she chooses to teach grade K, which requires dedication all by itself, and also because she goes out of her way to keep parents involved and in the loop to everything that is happening in the classroom each week. She is 3) Innovative because she is constantly finding new and exciting ways to keep 5 year olds learning and exploring while still teaching them to be good students, friends, and citizens. My daughter told me the other day that she was sad to go home on Friday because it meant she had to go two days without school. I think that speaks volumes for the kind of teacher that she has in Mrs. Hinton.
October 3, 2011 at 2:36 pm
My son’s teacher, Patricia Langer, is very much dedicated to her class. At the very first sign of my son having ADHD she contacted me and worked with me to try and help him as a team. She is open to any ideas I have and will work with me to try new things to keep him, and all of her students, on track. For the first time EVER (and I have a 22 year old, so this is NOT my first rodeo) I feel like I’m dealing with a teacher who really cares, is in a career she is passionate about and isn’t stuck in a ‘my way or the highway’ rut that some teachers get into.
October 3, 2011 at 2:37 pm
I would love to nominate my 8 yr old’s 3rd Grade Teacher, she has such amazing patience with him and has a class that is half special needs half regular kids and she just knows exactly how to approach each child. I’ve seen such an amazing difference in my son this year because of this and here in Florida our teachers are always under funded.
She is just one of those teachers that just loves what she does, those kids are her babies and if someone remotely talks down to them she jumps into action. She will not let them be picked on one bit and I just think the world of her. She was a much needed addition to his education this year.
Thank you for this opportunity.
October 3, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Commented on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ADayMadeBetter/posts/257355434301034
October 3, 2011 at 2:43 pm
I would like to nominate Mrs. Breedlove, our youngest son’s second grade teacher at Macon Hall Elementary School in Cordova, TN. She is very passionate about being a teacher, and makes her classroom fun in ways the children may not even realize when they’re actually learning while having a great time. She is dedicated in that she chose a profession not known for its financial reward, but for the reward of shaping the lives of children. She is innovative because the school has a new addition in which each room was painted and the walls improved, but there is a policy that holes and certain hanging materials can’t be used. She asked for some parents to assist in making new wall equipment, as she was out of her own materials she provided out of pocket. She will give us a list of things we can provide the classroom, but does not expect anything, as she plans to buy the materials herself regardless of what we as parents provide. I have so much respect and gratitude for all teachers, but I think Mrs. Breedlove is very special for the reasons I’ve listed, plus so many more!
October 3, 2011 at 2:46 pm
Ms. tammy and Ms.Kristen at my daughters Montessori school…She is in first grade now and she is doing wonderful. over the summer their room was a model classroom for some teachers to practice in…things went missing…I have been trying to help out with supplies on their wish list. They make learning so meaningful and fun that when i ask my daughter what her lesson was on that day…she has no idea but when i ask her what she did at school she goes on and on and on about everything they did that day
October 3, 2011 at 3:04 pm
My son’s teacher, Ms Ganger, is all the above. She teaches a class of students that have disabilities and works with them on daily living skills as well as their academics. Everyone is given a chance to succeed!
October 3, 2011 at 3:12 pm
The teacher I nominate, Danielle Daigle, is not my teacher or my child’s teacher (especially since I have no children)! But, rather, she is my best friend. And has been my best friend for almost 30 years. She started out teaching first grade with an unbelievable passion for the profession. When we were in college I used to tell her how crazy I thought she was! More than 10 years later she hasn’t lost that passion. She has continued to better herself and strives to be the best teacher she can possible be. She applies for grants to fund innovative classroom items, her most recent idea is iPads, so that she can keep learning interesting by using innovative and new techniques. She has dedicated herself to educating children in a state that sometimes forgets just how important that is. And she always “takes one for the team.” For instance, days before this recent school year she learned she would be teaching 2nd grade instead of 1st. She’s only ever taught 1st, so this was a major switch of gears. But she accepted the challenge and has proven to be an excellent 2nd grade teacher who helps to bring passion and creativity to her fellow teachers and students. I can not imagine anyone more deserving than Danielle. Abbey Elementary is very lucky to have her.
October 3, 2011 at 3:13 pm
While I believe all teachers are extra ordinary people, and if it was possible all teachers would get these cards. My daughters second grade teachers ( yes I said teachers) do an amazing job at Lisa J Mails elementary school. Mrs.Morel and Mrs. Sabol share a contract and do a seamless job between the 2 of them. They make what could be a difficult situation for the children to get used to into an amazing learning experience. The children get a chance to see 2 different people working together to make their 2nd grade fun and exciting.
October 3, 2011 at 3:16 pm
My son is attending a brand new dual language school in newark, de. His kindergarten teacher, mrs. Enos is amazing! In just a few short weeks, she has accomplished so much! The school, ASPIRA academy is in it’s first year- so there are lots of needs.
Mrs Enos has erased the language barrier, turned strangers into friends, and has set the expectation that this will be a great year. Through her constant communication; positive, encouraging words; and commitment to the kids, she is an example to be followed by all professionals in the education field.
October 3, 2011 at 3:36 pm
My son’s teacher at Hudson Valley Early Intervation Center, Georgette Fusco. My son was born with a birth defect, diagnosed with PDD (an ASD) and entered her classroom not speaking and very self directed. She also had a child with Downs Syndrome, one with autism and one with CP. The amount of love and dedication she put into each and every one of her students was evident every moment of the day. She did whatever it took to engage them and participate in their own way. She always went above and beyond to teach and serve the children and their parents. She used signed language, fed them, changed them, hugged them and kissed them. She played guitar for them, made caricatures with them. She taught them shapes and colors using the computer and spent A LOT of her own money on books and supplies for her classroom that were appropriate for her students and their ages. She always has a smile on her face and you can truly see how much she enjoys and adores her very special children. She dedicated her life to Special Education students of all ages and after she retired from NY state, went back to work with the little guys. She is pure, fun, kind and giving. She never complains and has a huge heart. We truly love her.
October 3, 2011 at 3:37 pm
sorry about some of the typos, I was typing fast!
October 3, 2011 at 3:39 pm
My niece, Mrs. Tomalak, is a 5th grade teacher, this being her 2nd year. She patiently waited for a teaching job, tutoring kids in the meantime. When she finally got her position, she has dedicated herself to her students in ways she never thought possible. Countless hours at home, preparing for the school week or school day, has made her realize how invested she is in the kid’s well-being. Her first field trip to Washington D.C., seen through the eyes of her students, brought her home exclaiming, “I’m more patriotic than I ever was.” Everyday, she sees opportunities to reach the kids and is positively radiant when she knows she’s gotten through to them. Her attention to detail is beyond compare. I would really love to see her win because this would only emphasize to her that good people get rewarded for all their hard work.
October 3, 2011 at 3:43 pm
I would love it if I could get my sister nominated for this. My sister, Jami Schuermann, is a first grade teacher for the Rochester School District in Michigan. She just began her second year of teaching, and I know she could use all the help she could get. Most people think that a teacher’s job is done at 3:30 when the kids leave the classroom, but my sister sometimes doesn’t leave the school until seven or eight at night.(That is on the nights she is not at class getting her Masters Degree.) She spends most of her free time coming up with and preparing fun and interesting lesson plans to keep the kids in her class excited about school.One time she actually taught her first graders about the different types of clouds by creating one in a soda bottle in the classroom.The other teachers may find her ways a little odd,but she doesn’t care.In her opinion, if it takes having a bunch of adults thinking she is a little strange to keep her students interest and have them enjoy learning, it is well worth it. She has a background as a Para educator which has come in useful because she had quite a few special needs children in her classroom as well. She comes home after a very long day at work and goes on and on about the students in her classroom. She talks about how wonderful they are and gets so excited when a student who has been struggling finally understands what she is trying so hard to teach them. I could not imagine her in any other profession. Teaching is not just a job to her. It is her passion. I have watched her work so hard for the past few years, first in school and now in her own classroom. I have seen how much time, effort, and her own money has gone into creating lessons and a learning environment to make sure her students will succeed. Since she is new to teaching, she hasn’t had the years that other teachers in her district have had to build up her supplies for her classroom. She is a wonderful teacher and (in my opinion) truly deserves this.
October 3, 2011 at 4:21 pm
I nominate special education teacher Jill Flynn. Each child through the years no matter how disabled they are is important to Jill. She is creative, kind and such a good teacher to many of these kids who are considered unteachable. She is giving these children self worth, fun and a wonderful learning experience in a public school.
October 3, 2011 at 5:06 pm
Ms. King who works in the Licking Heights School District is a wonderful teacher! 4th grade has been quite an adjustment for my smarty-pants daughter who, for some reason, had a hard time adjusting to the added responsibility of the new school year. The 4th graders are given a lot more responsibility and are required to work on their own alot more than in the previous years. but Ms. King has helped immensely with this transition! All A’s and B’s on the interim report as of last week!
Not to mention she is a 20 year veteren of the county sheriff’s office and came to teaching as a second career and has been dedicated to it for the last 14 years!! Thank goodness for people like her who live and breathe for their kids!!!
October 3, 2011 at 7:26 pm
My son’s kindergarten teacher, Ms. Parra, clearly loves what she does and cares about her kids. Her passion and dedication are reflected in the children she has served for many years, whose younger siblings routinely ask to be in her class. Though her classroom is not large, she has used the space to maximum efficiency and created various themed “nooks” where children can learn and play. I look forward to having another child in her class in a couple of years!
October 3, 2011 at 7:33 pm
https://www.facebook.com/ADayMadeBetter/posts/257465560956688
October 3, 2011 at 8:03 pm
I want to nominate the staff at The Delaware Academy of Public Safety and Services. We are a staff of 8 educators in a start up Charter School. Each teacher is an out of the box teacher and our students are really appreciating our innovative approaches. The school is in its first year so funding is extremely tight. With that said, you can walk into any classroom and you would think that we have been there for years. All of us have funded our classrooms out of our pockets and we all started with nothing. We are all working hard to develop our curriculum with the goal of producing young men and women who will be our future first responders.
October 4, 2011 at 2:31 pm
I am going out on a limb and am nominating myself
. I am homeschooling my three children and pay for everything out of pocket. I would love a gift card to supplement our curriculum and supplies. Thanks!!
October 4, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I would like to nominate my daughter’s first grade teacher Miss. Walker. I met her for the first time at back to school night a month ago and instantly fell in love. She loves her job and goes above and beyond for these kids. She brings the fun back into learning. She believes kids should love school and my daughter has come home in love with science lately because of all the fun experiements they are doing in class. She is fun, creative and over all a fantastic person.
October 4, 2011 at 3:21 pm
I would like to nominate my sons kindergarten teacher, Ms. Kiss from Skyline Elementary. For a long time, my son has been put through various types of testing for what although still undiagnosed, may be a mild form of Autism. We spoke with her before school began to tell her of our concern and she has been in constant contact with us for all things good and bad and also took it upon herself to see what kind of assistance the school could offer us. We have seen such a positive change in our son and he enjoys school and the compassion she gives him each day.
October 4, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I would like to nominate my daughters 2nd grade teacher Mrs.Quinn who works at Kenmore Elementary School in Elkton,Md. She has amazing patience with the kids and the kids love her. She makes learning fun and makes my daughter enjoy attending school daily
. I am thankful for every teacher out there but extremely thankful for Mrs.Quinn. We love Mrs.Quinn!!!
October 4, 2011 at 3:57 pm
I would like to nominate my son’s kindergarten teacher Mrs. Sorenson. She is an amazing teacher and can’t believe the amount my son has learned from her so far during this school year. Every morning when I drop him off for school I can tell just how passionate she is about her job, students and school. She excitedly greets each and every child as well as their parents and talks with them about how excited she is for the days activities. I don’t know exactly how long she’s been teaching for, but I know it’s at least 10+ years. To have that kind of passion for your job after that long is a feat in itself! She is extremely dedicated not only to her class, but to the school as well. She obviously has to put her own money into a several of the class supplies, but she is also always promoting fundraisers and doing what she can to help the school and the children be a success. By walking into her classroom on any given day you can see just how innovative she is. There are always new and exciting things done in class that my son loves to come home and talk about. If there is one style of teaching that doesn’t work for one particular child, she’ll switch it up and try whatever it takes to get that child to learn the materials needed for him/her to be successful.
Mrs. Sorenson is a wonderful teacher and I am so grateful that my son has a wonderful teacher like her.
October 4, 2011 at 4:31 pm
I would like to nominate Mrs. Gina Frodge of Redondo Beach. She is a local preschool teacher, who teaches in a parent-cooperative preschool run by the Redondo Beach Community Program.
“Miss Gina,” as all the children call her, has been a dedicated and caring teacher for more years than I can determine, often matriculating 3 or more siblings through her classes. She was teacher to both my sons (now ages 8 and 6) as well as several of my sons’ classmates at the local Elementary schools. This past Friday, my son won Student Of The Month for his 3rd grade class. Noticeably, two of his friends ALSO won for THEIR 3rd grade class. This morning at school, I noticed photos of two 2nd graders that also won Student Of The Month. Guess who taught them all? Miss Gina! She is the most patient and dedicated teacher I have ever met AND she had five former students win SOTM for the first month of school.
My heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Gina Frodge. I hope she wins!
October 4, 2011 at 4:37 pm
I would like to nominate my sons Kindergarten teacher. She is the only all day K teacher in the school! She does an amazing job with them, and truly loves and cares for them! She is patient with them, and also the parents! She responds to any questions or concern anyone has.
October 4, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I have 2 teachers in mind that are so deserving of this certificate. They are trying something “innovative” to our district this year by co-teaching the special education children in the general education classroom. This is particularly exciting for me, as my 2 fourth graders are both benefit from this. They work so hard to immerse these kids as much as possible, and I hate that the Teachers Wish List is always so full of things that should be provided to the classrooms.
October 4, 2011 at 6:33 pm
I would like to nominate Miss Rita of Kingston, NY. She teaches pre-school in an integrated classroom – half special needs, half typical children. She is the nicest teacher, and invests herself totally in her kids. Her goal is not only to help these kids learn their ABCs, but more importantly learn how to navigate the social aspects of school and life. She is not afraid to stand up for her students when necessary, and will often attend CSE meetings on behalf of the child so they get the services they need.
She is able to successfully integrate all of her students, so that the special needs kids can follow the example of the typical kids, and the typical kids learn leadership by example.
I think the most important thing Miss Rita does, above all else, is always keep in mind to be respectful of each individual child. She corrects with kindness – something I truly believe in, and something not practiced in many other classrooms.
I just cannot say enough here. Thanks for giving me a chance to “glow” about Miss Rita.
October 4, 2011 at 7:45 pm
I’d like to nominate my Mom, a 7th grade science teacher. I can only imagine the extreme patience it must take to teach 7th graders, but I see the personal sacrifices that she makes so that her students can have a fun, positive learning experience. The teachers have an extremely limited spending budget, and science labs require a lot of supplies that are purchased out of her own pocket. She never seeks reimbursement for any of these purchases, not that there is money enough in the budget to reimburse her for them. And she has been doing this, selflessly, for the last 33 years!
October 5, 2011 at 12:53 am
I have four children in school so this has been really difficult to choose as all of their teachers are amazing…I have a preschooler, kindergarten, first and secon grader! But Mrs. Dowell, my sons first grade teacher, who I have been with since my oldest was in first has just showed so much courage and strength. She is an absolutely amazing teacher who is battling breast cancer. However, she has been in the classroom more than I have observed other teachers who are healthy. In fact she has never even told me of her illness. I found out from her best friend who also teaches at the same school who was my 2nd grade teacher.Mrs. Dowell carries herself with the utmost poise abd dignity. My kids just love her, as do I. She. Goes above and beyond everyday. She also taught my younger brothers some 10 years ago and made a silent monetary contribution to their wrestling camp funds. I am thankful that my children have been blessed with such an amazing and humblt lady as their first grade teacher. I will forever be grateful to her, please consider her for one of your contest winners! Thank you
-Nicole Grandy-Smith
October 5, 2011 at 12:57 am
Please excuse my spelling my spell check did not go through!
October 5, 2011 at 10:33 am
I would like to nominate my 9yr old’s tutor/special ed teacher. My son was struggling to focus in school and we were told by administration that he had ADHD. We had all the tests run, altered his diet, hired tutors, did “everything right” for two years with no improvement. When we hired Emy Eldred, the “gifted” program teacher at his school, to be his tutor, she was able to get through to him and explain things in a way he can understand.
We have know Emy for several years, as she taught our older daughter for a while. Her teaching methods are very innovative and she can switch gears as fast as the kids do. Whenever Joseph is having trouble, she redirects him or moves to a different teaching method. She’ll let the kids learn hands-on, through multi-media, or sitting where they are comfortable. Basically, will do whatever it takes to help her students succeed.
Emy works with Joseph’s other teachers at the school to help him throughout the school day. Although he is not in her classroom, if he ever has any kind of shut down or “just doesn’t get it” she makes herself available to help.
All of the teachers are wonderful at our school, but Emy is above and beyond fabulous. She is VERY passionate about her job, extremely innovative with her teaching methods and completely dedicated to both her students and their families. I don’t know what we’d do without her!!
October 5, 2011 at 10:55 am
The teacher I nominate, Barbara Carlson, is my Aunt. She started out teaching Sunday School in high school and hasn’t stopped since. Barbie has an unbelievable passion for the profession. She is currently teaching 1st grade. She has continued to better herself and strives to be the best teacher she can possible be. She continues to find new and interesting ways to keep all those children focused and learning, even if she has to pay for the supplies herself. She has dedicated herself to educating children in a state that sometimes forgets just how important that is. I can not imagine anyone more deserving than my Aunt Barbie. Aviara Oaks Elementary in Carlsbad is very lucky to have her.
October 6, 2011 at 2:48 am
I would like to nominate my daughter’s 3rd grade teacher, John Ramirez from Hoffer Elementary in Banning, Ca. This year Banning Unified School District took an astounding $5 million cut. This school district has less than a dozen schools, so who do you think is putting up the tab to ensure our children get the education needed to accomplish their goals? The teachers are. He keeps all of his students interested and uses his time and money to ensure every one of them get the attention they need. He also makes a point to be sensitive and understanding to my daughter while her father is deployed and even volunteered to have the class send letters to him and the other marines fighting. His dedication to his students and the school is always overlooked and I would like to see him get even the smallest gratitude for his sacrifices and dedication. *By the way my daughter is already talking about which college to attend! Hoffer School is College bound!!!*
October 7, 2011 at 9:23 am
Mrs Mac @ Starr Elementary in New Richmond, WI is truly a Starr. She works with a dedicated team of people in the special services department. She is truly a person who has the ability to find new solutions and never experience discouragement. She iprovides exactly what any kid who needs a little help needs. Her ability to listen, and watch, and assess is phenomenal. Kids that nobody else “gets”, she does. She is an asset to our children and truly deserves to recieve some perks to help her with what she loves to do.
October 7, 2011 at 9:27 am
Mrs. Vittardi @ State Road Elementary School in Parma, OH. She is a wonderful kindergarten teacher. She is patient with the children and understanding of the limitations of their age. She comes up with new ways to keep the children’s interest daily. She is very deserving of an award
October 7, 2011 at 9:53 am
Mrs. Yates at south highlands elementry in Shreveport, LA is an amazing teacher. She works so hard with all the children to make sure they are successful in everything they do. She makes sure they have working computers in the classroom and that they always have supplies. Mrs. Yates finds ways to make learning fun for the kids. She has been amazing with my child and I Believe she deserves to win so we can help buy printer ink and more supplies for the kids. She has been teaching for over 30 years and gives her all to her students. I think she deserves the help.
October 7, 2011 at 10:24 am
I am nominating Mrs. Debra Rivero of the Ichabod Crane Primary School. Mrs. Rivero is a 3rd Grade teacher, formerly 1st grade. The school has recently undergone major budget cuts and had to close 2 of the 5 buildings that housed the classrooms. The 3rd grade was moved into a new building. Mrs. Rivero accepted the challenge of teaching the new 3rd graders during this very difficult year of transition with all of the changes that are having to be implemented.
Especially difficult will be preparing these, oh so small children, to enter the Middle School building in September of 2012 for 4th grade.
My son has some special educational needs and is in Mrs. Rivero’s Class. He was in her class for 1st grade and when Mrs. R announced that she would be teaching 3rd grade, I jumped at the chance for my son to be in her class again. By far, his year with Mrs. Rivero was his best and most successful of the 3 years he has completed at the Ichabod Crane Primary School.