$10,000 summer getaway to the Grand Prize winner
The celebration was on during teacher appreciation week this year. Twenty teachers were in the running for the final $10,000+ grand prize in the Tropical Smoothie Cafe Sunshine for Teachers contest. When the votes came in, Danny Kloosterman, an English teacher from Greeneview High School in Jamestown, Ohio was the winner. Mr. Kloosterman – called Mr. K by his students – also gets a free year of smoothies.
Asked about winning the award, Mr. K said, “I am incredibly grateful for Tropical Smoothie’s generosity, and I am honored by this award. I appreciate Tropical Smoothie’s desire to recognize teachers across the country, grade-levels, and subject matters who strive to encourage and support students.”
For teachers who’ve had a year of ups and downs, the accolades came just in time. There are similar teacher programs in other communities and sponsored by different companies. Campus Multimedia manages several. “The idea behind this program and the others we create and manage is that brands are looking to engage with teachers in a more meaningful way, a way that gives back but also builds brand recognition and good will,” said Karl Mawhinney, Founder and CEO of Campus Multimedia.
Mr. K was nominated by a fellow staff member, Brittany Dewitt. She wrote that Mr. K focuses on the little things that can brighten a student’s day such as reminding them to look for moments of sunshine at the end of his weekly subject matter quizzes.
Mr. K summed up the importance of recognition for teachers, “Our world is constantly changing, and teachers are uniquely positioned to help students develop the necessary habits and critical thinking skills to adapt and be successful. I know a lot has been said and written about artificial intelligence’s role in the future of education, but I believe it’s the time, effort, and care of organic minds that make the greatest impact on a students’ future.”
We’ve highlighted a few of the winners, but all of them can be read about here.
- Amy Fitzsimmons, a ASD Resource Room teacher at Smith Elementary School who encourages autistic students to work a coffee cart
- Angelica Abbey, a 6th grade teacher from Frye Elementary School who secured grants to give students unique learning experiences like hands-on STEM activities and leadership development
- Marianne Jordan, Lead Special Education teacher at Rigdon Road Elementary School who has been fundraising for an inclusive playground
- Rose Hammel, a 7th grade History teacher at Fairless Middle School who started a free running club to inspire good health and create social opportunities for students
- Nicole Spage, a Science teacher from Rock Ridge High School who helped build enrollment in AP Psychology to over 200 students.
Sunshine for Teachers was sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe and organized by Campus Multimedia. Over 11,000 teachers were nominated for over $100,000 in prizes. Each of the 20 finalist’s schools celebrated at a schoolwide smoothie party hosted by Tropical Smoothie Cafe, which also donated $1,000 to each finalist’s school.
