ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — To recognize the entrepreneurial spirit driving teachers to meet their students’ distance learning needs during this difficult time, SONIC Drive-In matched all donations to DonorsChoose on Teacher Appreciation Day. Through Limeades for Learning, SONIC donated $1 million to public school teacher requests across the country on May 5, supporting their endeavors to provide students with essential education resources.
In Orange, three teachers received a total donation of $308. Deborah Muller at Heywood Avenue Elementary School received a grant for the project “Popping Good Behavior and Work.” Tisa Singleton at Lincoln Avenue Elementary School received a grant for the project “When Work Is Done We Can Have Fun.” And Agnieszka Wszolkowski at Rosa Parks Community School received a grant for the project “Personal Expression.”
In West Orange, one teacher received a total donation of $429 for two projects. Rebecca Kalenak at Roosevelt Middle School received grants for the project “Growing Good” and for “Garden Improvements.”
In Maplewood, one teacher received a total donation of $150. Jennifer Latimer at Clinton Elementary School received a grant for the project “Interactive E-books Support Remote Learning.”
In Newark, seven teachers received a total donation of $448. Lee Ann Brooks-Chupp at Arts High School received a grant for the project “Resources That Rule.” Ann Jansen at Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School received a grant for the project “A’ Wash’n Up With the Basics!” Shannon Colonna at Ivy Hill Elementary School received a grant for the project “Special Students Need Special Teaching.” Annmarie Santos at Ridge Street Elementary School-Early Childhood Center received a grant for the project “Kindergarten Word Play.” Denise Rizzo at Salome Urena Elementary School received a grant for the project “Supplies to the Rescue!” Maria V. Suto at Salome Urena Elementary School received a grant for the project “Capturing Our Learning.” Steven Deaver at West Side High School received a grant for the project “Virtual Reality.”
“Teachers across the country face new and complex challenges to keep their students learning right now,” said Christi Woodworth, vice president for public relations for SONIC. “As we continue to celebrate teachers this Teacher Appreciation Month, we sincerely thank educators who are creatively keeping their students learning even as schools are closed. With SONIC’s $1 million donation match, we were able to help teachers obtain resources for their students and will continue to empower them throughout the year.”