“A thousand dollars right now in our budget is a huge amount,” said Sonora Principal Christine Anderson, who nominated Honda for the competition.
Now in its third year, the competition was created to increase awareness of the expenses today’s teachers rack up in stocking their classrooms with necessities like tissues and crayons. About $1 million in supplies was distributed Tuesday nationwide.
At Sonora, Anderson joined OfficeMax representatives in sneaking into Honda’s classroom and presenting her with flowers, balloons and the “treasure chest” of supplies.
Honda’s kindergartners found the big orange box more exciting than what was in it.
They clambered up its sides while Honda tried to express her astonishment.
“I’m overwhelmed, and so surprised,” Honda said. “When I saw them walking in, I thought Mrs. Anderson was just bringing people to observe the class. ... I definitely can use these supplies. What a surprise.”
Anderson said Honda was a natural fit for the A Day Made Better competition, in which principals were asked to nominate one teacher who exemplified passion, dedication and innovation in the classroom.
“Donna just popped out,” Anderson said. “She does everything quietly, efficiently. She just shows up and gets the job done. … You always know she’s going to show up.”
She cited Honda’s willingness to work after school and on weekends, developing lesson plans and strategies to help her students succeed.
The majority of Sonora’s students are learning English as a second language and live in low-income neighborhoods, she said.
