Christie Kranjcec, a fourth grade teacher at Dayton Elementary School, has won a $2,500 grant through Farmers Insurance's "Thank a Million Teachers" program, a national initiative that invites America to offer thanks to teachers, present and past, who have made a difference in their lives.
As part of the program, Farmers invited teachers to submit proposals for their chance to win $2,500 grants to fund their classroom. During March, the public voted on nearly 1,300 submitted proposals with the top six vote-getters in five regions selected as winners. In all, Farmers has committed to donating $1 million to teachers and education programs in 2014.
“These winning teachers are outstanding examples of the type of creativity and dedication found in classrooms across America and we congratulate our first group of winners,” said Randy Rice, National Manager of Education Programs for Farmers Insurance. “We know these grants will have a major impact in schools throughout the country and we want to remind teachers that they can continue to submit proposals through the end of October as we will have additional opportunities for them to win grants.”
Farmers Insurance is working in partnership with Adopt-A-Classroom.org, a national non-profit, to help teachers acquire the supplies and equipment they have requested in their proposals.
Farmers announced the launch of the Thank A Million Teachers program in late December at a special event featuring Jack Black, who thanked his former teacher Debbie Devine, who he credited with saving his life.
Several days later, Farmers brought additional attention to its campaign to thank educators across America with its Thank A Million Teachers New Year’s Day float in the Tournament of Roses parade.