Teacher wins school supplies worth $1,000
Lisa Roberson | The Chronicle-Telegram
ELYRIA — For Elyria teacher Molly Knight, preparing for the new school year starts with a plan to buy just a few packs of paper and a couple of boxes of pencils.
But before she knows it, a simple trip to the local Office Max turns into an excursion where she ends up spending hundreds of dollars of her own money on supplies for her students. However, it’s an expense she is willing to work into her personal budget, teaching in a district where more than 60 percent of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches based on their parents’ income.
“Most of the kids just don’t have paper and pencils — the basic stuff they need to learn,” she said. “I know what kind of home life some of my kids come from, and instead of sitting back and doing nothing, I do what I can to make their day better.”
On Wednesday, Office Max employees returned the favor with a surprise visit to Westwood Junior High School, where Knight teaches seventh- and eighth-grade math, bringing along $1,000 worth of supplies just for Knight.
When Principal Ramona Mendak and several fellow teachers interrupted Knight’s algebra lesson to introduce her to the special visitors, the veteran teacher was speechless. She graciously accepted the flowers, plaque and accolades, telling everyone she was just doing her job.
Then Elyria Office Max Store Manager Paul Cluggish rolled in a brand-new leather desk chair to replace Knight’s dated green chair. She collapsed into the new chair, declaring that was where she would teach for the entire day.
Unbeknownst to Knight, the showering of gifts had only begun.
The biggest surprise of the day was wheeled into the room on a cart. The box, large enough to contain the bounty of supplies, was eagerly opened by Knight, who didn’t hesitate in putting the items to work.
“You guys wouldn’t believe all the stuff that’s in here,” she said turning to her students, all craning their necks so they could peek into the box. “And I’m going to share it all with you guys.”
Right on cue, Knight grabbed a four-pack of Kleenex tissues and handed out two boxes to sniffling students.
Such acts of unsolicited generosity are exactly the reason why Mendak said she nominated Knight.
“She is one of those teachers who just goes out of their way to get the job done,” she said. “Whether it’s buying supplies, tutoring kids after school or taking books, games, clothing and food to a needy family, she does whatever she can to make sure her students have no excuses once they walk into the classroom.”
Office Max stores across the country collectively surprised 1,300 hundreds teachers Wednesday with supplies as part of the “A Day Made Better” event to support teachers who spend their own money in the classroom.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
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Filed by Lisa Roberson | The Chronicle-Telegram October 2nd, 2008 in Local and State. Popularity: 1% |
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Comments
Comment from
puterpaws
October 2, 2008, 2:28 am
Congratulations, Molly Knight! We NEED more caring, loving teachers like you in our schools. May God Bless you, Molly Knight. Keep up the good work.
Comment from
CONFUSED1
October 2, 2008, 11:57 am
Ms.Knight is great teacher, I remember when she was the volleyball coach in Oberlin. I’m now 34 years old, that should tell you how much of an effect she has on her students.
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