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SPRINGDALE, Ark. – United Federal Credit Union (United) helped Arkansas teachers bring new ideas, resources and a little extra fun into their classrooms through its annual Home Room Makeover Sweepstakes.
Designed to celebrate teachers who go above and beyond for their students, the sweepstakes invited local educators to enter during a two-week period at the beginning of the school year.
This year, United awarded $500 classroom makeovers to Angela Nhu, a sixth through eighth grade art teacher at Oakdale Middle School in Rogers Public Schools; Olivia Mason, a ninth-grade English teacher at Central Junior High School in Springdale Public Schools; and Elisa Priester, a fourth-grade science and math teacher at George Elementary School in Springdale Public Schools.
“For the past five years, we've provided Home Room Makeover giveaways for the school districts we serve in northwest Arkansas,” said Kyle Hathaway, Senior Market Development Manager at United. “I started this sweepstakes as a way to say thank you to the wonderful teachers in our community.”
For Nhu, the award is creating an opportunity to introduce something new to her art students. She purchased a glass fusion kiln that can be used with a dedicated microwave, allowing students to create fused-glass pendants for necklaces. She also purchased additional art supplies and classroom décor based in part on suggestions from her students.
Angela Nhu, Oakdale Middle School art teacher with her classroom and Team United.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity to bring something new and exciting into our classroom. The glass fusion kiln will give my students a chance to explore a new art form and create something they can be proud to wear and share. I also loved being able to include their ideas when choosing additional supplies and décor. It makes our art room feel even more like a space created for them,” stated Nhu.
The program has a special personal connection for Hathaway, whose mother was a substitute teacher and who credits several of his own childhood teachers with contributing to his success.
“These heroes never get enough recognition,” Hathaway said. “They spend so much time with our children, so it always thrills me to get to be a small part in helping them be celebrated and do something fun for their students and classrooms.”
At Central Junior High School, Mason is stretching the award across instruction, classroom functionality and the overall learning environment. Her purchases included a class set of personal dry-erase boards to encourage quick responses and gamify classroom content, reusable dry-erase paper pouches to reduce paper use, a new bookshelf, bulletin board, alternative lighting and other classroom additions.
Olivia Mason, Central Junior High School ninth grade English teacher with her students and Team United.
The new bookshelf will provide much-needed space for books added to Mason’s classroom this year, while a dedicated bulletin board will free up a whiteboard currently being used to display materials. Students were especially excited about alternative lighting, which Mason said was the most-requested item from her class.
Priester, a fourth grade science and math teacher at George Elementary School, was also selected to receive a $500 classroom makeover and is collaborating with her students on what the money should be spent on in the classroom.
Elisa Priester, George Elementary School fourth grade science and math teacher and Home Room Makeover recipient.
“Teachers have such an important impact on their students, and many of us can point to educators who helped shape who we are today,” Hathaway added. “It means a lot to be able to recognize teachers in our community and give them an opportunity to bring something special into their classrooms.”
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About United
United Federal Credit Union has served its Members since 1949 by helping them to build a sound financial future. United consists of more than 190,000 Member/owners worldwide and manages assets in excess of $4.2 billion. Its corporate office and main branch are in St. Joseph, Mich., with additional branches in Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.