Honor to Whom Honor

It’s OK if I brag a little bit, isn’t it? For the second time in three years, my wife Lynn was named the Denbigh-area “Teacher of the Year” by the Wal-Mart Foundation. Several Wal-Mart representatives and her principle marched into her classroom Tuesday to present her the award. Actually, they all came into her room and just stood there for a minute or two. She said she she thought that they must be there to observe her class or something. She was thinking to herself, “Well, are they going to sit down or something so that I can get on with my class?” Nope, they were there to present her with her second such award, something they said had never happened.

By the way, the award consists of $1000 to Denbigh High School and a $100 Wal-Mart gift card to her. Personally, I think that should be the other way around, but then they didn’t ask me. Oh, and she also was given spiffy blue “Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year” golf shirt, which I'm sure she will be wearing to church Sunday! Lynn is one of those dedicated teachers who always goes in early and stays late, putting up with the paperwork and politics that goes with any bureaucracy because she really cares about her kids. I’m glad she received some recognition for her hard work.

In case you are interested, the following explanation of the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year program appears on the Wal-Mart Foundation website--

More than 3,800 outstanding teachers who are making a positive difference in the lives of young people were recognized through Wal-Mart's 10th annual Teacher of the Year program. The recognition came during Teacher Appreciation Week, which was May 1-7, and in honor of National Teacher's Day, which is Tuesday, May 3. As a result of their selection, schools of winning teachers received $1,000 each from Wal-Mart. Through the program, Wal-Mart donated $4.2 million to schools of winning teachers nationwide. One teacher was selected by each neighborhood Wal-Mart store, SAM'S CLUB, Neighborhood Market store and Wal-Mart Distribution Center across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporate supporters of teachers and education - last year alone the company gave away more than $45 million in support of educational initiatives, according to Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

"Teachers play a pivotal role in the lives of young people," said Reithemeyer. "Everyone remembers at least one special teacher who made a significant difference in their lives. We want to honor those outstanding educators who have done so much good for so many in our communities."