Local teacher surprised with OfficeMax Award
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Oct 6, 2011, 0 Comments
Courtesy Roberto Treviño,
(Laredo, Tx)- Mary Jo Cortez, a third grade teacher at Santa Maria Elementary School, was attending an assembly with her students in the gym when she was caught by surprise by representatives from OfficeMax who were actually there to congratulate her for being named the recipient of OfficeMax’s Fifth Annual “A Day Made Better” Award.
Cortez is among 1,000 teachers nationwide and the only Laredoan who was honored with $1,000 worth of classroom supplies by OfficeMax associates.
With a gym full of third grade students cheering her on, Cortez graciously accepted the school supplies. “I am absolutely surprised with this wonderful honor that OfficeMax so graciously bestowed upon me,” said Cortez. “Everything I received will be utilized for the education of the students I so proudly serve. I would like to thank Mrs. Nora Santos for her continuous support and for her dedication to the students of Santa Maria Elementary School.”
OfficeMax presented Cortez with a new swivel desk chair and a giant box of school supplies that included a printer, digital camera, and many other school supplies like copy paper, glue and markers, as well as a plaque and a dozen roses.
Nominated by their principals, teachers receive this honor for their exceptional contributions as an educator, demonstrating passion, innovation and dedication in the classroom.
“She is an outstanding teacher and an inspiration to us and her students,” stated Nora Santos, principal of Santa Maria Elementary School. “Ms. Cortez goes above and beyond her duties.”
Office Max and its nonprofit partner Adopt-A-Classroom founded the “A Day Made Better” cause event in response to the fact that teachers are now spending an average of $1,000 out-of-pocket annually on classroom supplies to offset budget shortfalls. Office Max and its retail customers together donated more than $1.7 million in classroom supplies to teachers nationwide through OfficeMax’s annual A Day Made Better classroom surprise events, which help provide economic relief and encourage national support for teachers.
