Walmart Teacher Rewards Program

“Teaching  – the profession that creates all other professions.” As important a job that teaching is, teachers often do not receive the praise and rewards that are due them. Wal-Mart is changing that!

According to the American Federation of Teachers, teachers spend about $500 a year out of their own pockets for classroom supplies, including snacks for students who may not have regular access to food.  The Teacher Rewards program helps to offset these costs.

In 2012, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions around the world. This includes $1 billion in cash and in-kind gifts in the United States and $82.2 million in cash and in-kind gifts in international markets. In addition, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Logistics associates volunteered more than 2.2 million hours, generating $18 million to U.S. nonprofits.

This year, the Walmart located in Franklin Mills Shopping Center, along with the store manager and the community involvement coordinator, chose MaST Community Charter School as the recipient of these teacher rewards. 20 randomly selected teachers were awarded $50.00 gift cards to spend as they wish throughout the store.  Those lucky recipients were:

Teresa Pendergast – 5^th Grade

Sandra Brown – 3^rd Grade

Alida Fitzpatrick – Special Education

Mary Flanagan – 8^th Grade

Taralynn Doris – Kindergarten

Elise Behm – 4^th Grade Special Education

Vanessa Owens – 2^nd Grade

Rosemary Duffy – Special Education

Christina Harta – 1^st Grade

Claudia Iuliano – 7^th Grade

Lauren Saftlas – 8^th Grade

Robert Hopkins – 5^th Grade

Nicole DiNiglio – 7^th Grade

Erin Myers – 6^th Grade

Christine Ehrlich – K-8 Music

Tara Girnius – 7^th Grade Special Education

Krysten Bovell – 4^th Grade

Susan Mosher – K-6 Library/Media

Lena Mendes – K-8 art

Nicole Smith – 3^rd Grade

Congratulations to all of the recipients! We are proud to have you at MaST!

Walmart states, “It’s our mission to create opportunities so people can live better. We consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the communities we serve. Whether it’s through the grants we provide to the thousands of organizations that share our mission or through the inspiring volunteer efforts of Walmart associates, we are passionate about helping people live better. One community at a time.”

Students in Ms. Iuliano’s 8th Grade Technology Class are concluding their first unit on robotics. The 8th Grade students were the first to test out the new Lego EV3 Robotics Kits that debuted this August. With the EV3 Kits and their robotic sensors, the possibilities are truly endless and students are encourages to experiment and learn by doing. So far, students have learned to build, program, and test their robots. The programming software teaches students gradually and allows for individualized challenges once certain skills and tasks are mastered. The students have really enjoyed this unit and are excited about this hands-on approach to learning. 7th Grade students will be introduced to the EV3 kits as well throughout the year.