THIS IS EDITED to add a change in the entry requirement, making it easier for you to nominate! READ below because you can now COMMENT to nominate a teacher!
I am proud to announce that I am an MaxMom and get to participate in this fantastic campaign! Having two sister-in-laws that are teachers, I’m very aware of the dedication teachers put into their classrooms both mentally and financially. This is your chance to nominate that deserving teacher for a chance to win a great prize!
Did you know teachers spend an average of $1200 of their own money on classroom supplies each year? That’s $4 billion annually! That’s why OfficeMax joined with Adopt-A-Classroom to create “A Day Made Better“—a national cause event founded to erase teacher-funded classrooms. This year, “A Day Made Better” will take place on October 6 where 1,000 teachers will be surprised in their classrooms each with $1,000 worth of essential supplies from OfficeMax. That’s more than one million dollars donated to help teachers! Principals at needy schools nominated the teachers for demonstrating dedication, innovation, and passion.
To pay-it-forward, OfficeMax and Mom It Forward have teamed up to create awareness about the issue of teacher-funded classrooms and to give you the opportunity to get involved and help a teacher in your community on behalf of the “A Day Made Better.” Here’s how…
Simply nominate a teacher of your choice to win this giveaway by following the entry requirements. Be sure to check out the prize and criteria!
PRIZE
One exceptional teacher will receive a ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR gift card to OfficeMax. This can go a long way when it comes to classroom supplies!
CRITERIA
This is a giveaway that is meant to be given away. What does that mean? You get to nominate a teacher by sharing why this person is exceptional and deserving of this giveaway. The best part, every story told helps raise awareness in an 
effort to erase teacher-funded classrooms. The winning teacher will be chosen based on the following criteria, so be sure to tell us why your teacher is most deserving:
- Dedication: does everything in his/her power to deliver the best possible education for his/her students.
- Innovation: thinks outside the box and engages his/her students through creative learning activities & programs.
- Passion: expresses a genuine passion for education and shares this enthusiasm in the classroom.
- Need: demonstrates a need for essential classroom supplies.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enter your teacher, you are required to do two things.
(Note: post a separate comment for each entry.)1. Nominate them through a blog post, on Whrrl, or by leaving a comment here on this post.
Leave a Comment Here
- Simply leave a comment below to nominate.
OR
Write a post on your blog.
- You can include photos, video, etc. but please stay under 400 words or 3 minutes.
- Please include these links: http://adaymadebetter.com or @adaymadebetter.
- Include a link to your post in the comments section.
OR
Create a story on Whrrl.com.
- Go to our custom Whrrl page, click “Start A Story” and upload photos and text about why your teacher is most deserving.
- Be sure to include the #omx hashtag in the text of your story.
- Post a link to your Whrrl story in the comments section.
2. Post these messages on Facebook and/or Twitter.
(Note: Be sure to leave comments here with links to your messages.)- Teachers spend avg $1200 of own $$ on school supplies annually! Help erase teacher-funded classrooms. http://bit.ly/3VUNvC PLS RT #omx
- Nominate a teacher 2 win $100 in OfficeMax classroom supplies. Enter here: PUT YOUR POST URL HERE PLS RT #omx
- Join the “A Day Made Better” movement to end teacher-funded classrooms at http://bit.ly/UJ3LF #omx
More than 30 sites are participating in this campaign between now and Sunday, October 4. Visit http://momitforward.com for a list of all the giveaways! You may enter a different teacher on every site, but you may only win once!
Thanks so much for helping pay-it-forward to teachers in your community! Please join us on Tuesdays, September 22 and 29 from 9 to 11 pm ET for Girls Night Out (#gno) on Twitter if you’d like to meet the team behind the cause: @officemax, @adaymadebetter and @Adopt_Classroom. Hope to see you there!
Lori is the Owner and Founder of four blogs, a 4 year Problogger, a social media influencer, and tech nerd at heart. She's been married 18+ years and has 3 handsome boys; Tyler 17, Toby, 14, and Truett 4. 
Lori, I had no idea this was available! I teach 8th grade language and think this is just great. Thanks for posting it. :)
gaye
I would like to nominate my sons Pre-k teacher last year in his public school. Her name is Mrs. Berner and is a Special Ed teacher. In her class, she has children with mild disabilities like severe speech delays (like my son was/is) to children autism, and children with Spina Bifida and can not walk properly due to their illness. Her class was full of love and support not only for the children but for the parents as well. My son was in her class for 2 years, and his speech has improved where we can communicate with each other and him not get frustrated by us not understanding his needs and wants.
At my childrens school, 85% of their children are on free or reduced lunch. Extra money, most schools, are not readily available. My daughter went on 1 field trip last year b/c of cut backs and lack of F.T money that parent were able to supply to even participate in any form of extra curricular activities.
Thanks to Office Max/ and you for even holding this giveaway. Any teacher will benefit from this, but more importantly the children will!
I nominate my son’s teacher. She has had both of my boys in her special needs classroom over the last 5 years. 2 yrs with first son and now on 3rd yr with #2. She is so giving and takes so much time with them!
thanks for sponsoring this.
2kidsblogger(at)gmail(dot)com
corrected tweets
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/4383532111
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/4383562349
http://twitter.com/2kidsblogger/status/4383576879
I’d like to nominate my son’s Kindergarten teacher, Miss E. During the first couple weeks of school my son, along with several other students, were having a rough time dealing with being away from mom for the first time. Miss E went over and beyond the call of duty to help the children adjust, including giving them special treats and rewards. I’m sure these things were paid for out of her own pocket.
It’s so comforting for a mother to know that her child is under the supervision of a teacher who truly cares and that will go the extra mile to make their first experience with school a positive one.
.-= Sylvia´s last blog ..Kraft Food & Family =-.
Our Granddaughter’s preschool teacher, Mrs. M is simply wonderful! She makes sure every child learns something new every day. It would be nice to give her this special gift.
My wife is a special ed teacher. She has children no one else caould handle, and she makes a difference. Teaching 1st through 3rd grade in the same class she has to prepare and present age appropiate matter.
I would nominate my MIL. She’s not a teacher, but she works in the office at an elementary school and buys supplies to give to the children that come in and cannot afford their own.
Hi Lori,
I have written a blog nominating Joe Hays for your $100 card giveaway. You can find it here: http://lonestarlifer.wordpress.com/2009/09/29/real-superstars/
I wrote you a while back about wanting to use your post about Banana Splits for Breakfast on my site. I wanted to make sure I doing everything legally, so I’d like to go ahead with that. Do I need to do anything in particular like link to your site, use your name, etc.
Thanks for the opportunity to gift a hard-working teacher something very useful. In a former life I was a teacher, so I have a heart for teachers and education and kids who have alot going against them to succeed.
.-= Lone Star Lifer´s last blog ..Real Superstars. =-.
I posted on Twitter: http://twitter.com/lonestarlifer
to enter Joe Hays and his Superstars for your $100 Office Max gift card.
http://twitter.com/lonestarlifer
.-= Lone Star Lifer´s last blog ..Real Superstars. =-.
I would like to nominate Joe Hayes mentioned in the blog for Lonestarlifer. I have followed Joe since he was a youth intern at our church. He has overcome many struggles and simply wants to share his love for the Lord to make the world a better place.
I would like to nominate Joe Hays as well that was mentioned on Lone Star Lifer. He passionately cares about the success of all students and believes that they can succeed if only give a chance to do so. Joe is changing lives as a teacher while being an amazing dad to 3 small children including one who literally fought for his life for the first few years. This is gift would be such a blessing to Joe, his students and his family. Thank you…
I too want to nominate my husband, Joe Hays. He is in his first year of teaching at the age of 35. He felt called to leave his previous career in order to bring love and a love of learning to 4th graders in inner-city St. Louis. He is highly motivated and highly gifted. He is collecting t-shirts and banners from colleges all over the country to motivate his students to think big. And he was just granted his donors choose project after just one week. BUT, he has to pay for his own paper, his own supplies, everything. One hundred bucks could go a long way!! Thank you!
Awesome givaway, thanks guys!… =D
Joe Hayes
I would like to nominate Joe Hays for the $100 card. Joe and I don’t even know each other but I have followed his blog for 4 years now. Even though we are in opposite states and hours away I can sense the enthusiasm and passion he has for the children that are in his classroom. There is no doubt in my mind that these childrens lives will be changed and impacted through Joe. It may not even be an instant change but I know that he will leave an impression that one will not soon forget!
I vote for Joe Hays!
I would like to nominate Joe Hays for your $100 giveaway. Teaching is an expensive job – it takes so much of your time, heart, emotions and that doesn’t count the out of pocket expenses. Both my parents were teachers and I know. Working in the city of St. Louis public schools is more than demanding and the financial resources are few. Joe could use the $100 for paper (they provide their own). If Joe doesn’t win the $100 gift card maybe you could gift his class with several reams of paper.
I would love to nominate my friend Joe Hays for the Office Max giveaway. I can’t say anything that hasn’t already been said but I just want to reiterate how much Joe deserves this. There are many great deserving teachers out there but Joe is also very worthy. He and his sweet family have had a tough several years but he still carves out time and energy for his students. This money would not only go a long way toward his supplies but will also recognize him in a tangible way for all he has given mentally and emotionally. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I’m crossing my fingers for Joe!
Voting for the great new teacher, Joe Hays!
I vote for Joe Hays! He deserves it.
Voting for Joe! Don’t know him personally, but feel like I do after being a blog follower for a few years. He is an amazing teacher – I’ve been teaching for 19 years and know an amazing teacher when I see one. More importantly, his students need every single thing they can get. No one is more deserving.
I nominate my grandsons fifth grade teacher.
I nominate Joe Hays for the Office Max he totally deserves to win … he is dedicated and a great human being …
I nominate Joe Hays for the Office Max gift card. He is passionate for his students and for what they are learning. He is innovative in his approach to reaching his kids. And his wife needs him to stop spending the grocery money on copy paper, even though his school can’t afford to give him any.
JOE HAYS FOR PRESIDENT! Oh, thats not what this is? Well I guess I’ll vote for him anyways
I vote Joe Hays….BIG TIME
I vote for teacher Joe Hays-hands down!!! I,too, have followed his blog for over 4 years and he really deserves this. He puts 100% into everything he does. His classroom could really use this.
I nominate Joe Hays for the $100 gift card. I have known Joe since he was one day old – can’t get much better than that in knowing someone! I watched him growing up, always going that “extra mile” to accomplish things he wanted to do. Joe is very personable, upbeat, and loved by everyone who knows him. I can GUARANTEE that Joe will give his Superstars his all for them to achieve. He will settle for nothing less. He is very creative, and will try everything he can think of, read about, and from asking others about. These Superstars will always remember their 4th grade teacher, and how he made a difference in their lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t have a future Congressman or President in his class! However,he could sure use some funds for supplies to help him reach all his goals.
I suggest that Joe Hays receive the giveaway. Because he will give it away to those most precious gathered around him everyday.
Joe reminds me of a mighty oak, soaking in the suns warmth, providing comfort and shade to those in need, offering a branch or twelve to build, producing resources for essential needs, and giving a ladder of limbs for kids with imagination and hope to see the world a-top his shoulders. JOE HAYS. My friend. My brother.
I nominate Joe Hays of St. Louis, MO for the $100.00 gift card. He is an amazing and gifted teacher who pours his heart and soul into all that he does. He wholeheartedly wants to see his students succeed against all odds. If anyone can do it, it will be the very optimistic and great teacher “JOE HAYS!” Just reading his blog about his Superstars moves you to do better things yourself.
I would like to nominate my daughters 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Hendley. She is amazing with the kids. My daughter loves going to school every day and is thriving in her classroom. I love that she encourages early studying for tests, etc. She could really benefit from this gift.
Tweeted http://twitter.com/momof2dancers/status/4556916553 & http://twitter.com/momof2dancers/status/4513805172
http://www.facebook.com/posted.php?id=730736564&share_id=167083112577&comments=1#s167083112577
I nominate Joe C. Hays. I am a fellow inner city 4th grade teacher. I don’t know anyone more deserving than him!
I would like to nominate Joe Hayes for inspiring low income kids to dream big!
I nominate Joe Hays for the $100 Office Max giveaway. My first year of teaching was also in a low income school so I understand Joe’s need for financial help in order to provide paper, pencils, and teaching materials to his class. Joe is an outstanding teacher who gives his all to each and every one of his Superstar students. I do not know of a more deserving teacher than Joe Clyde Hays.
I nominate Joe Hays for the Office Max giveaway. Joe has begun his first year of teaching at a low income school in St. Louis, MO. He changed careers from being an inspirational pastor in Brooklyn, NY to becoming an inspirational teacher to 23 4th grade students in St. Louis, MO. In less than 6 weeks, Joe has already given countless hours and money in order for his classroom to have what they need to learn and grow in their knowledge of reading, writing and math. Joe will not only help increase his students’ reading levels this year, but he will help them set goals for the rest of their life. Joe has also raised money to receive a LCD projector for his class that will enable him to teach and inspire his students in countless ways. It only took him a week and a half to raise the funds for this projector. Earlier this year he requested on his blog for people to send him college pennants and t-shirts in order to inspire his students to dream and work hard so that they can go to a college of their choice after graduating from high school. Joe is currently providing all of his paper to his students because of budget issues at his school. Please provide Joe with the $100 gift card as well as any other supplies that can be donated from Office Max.
Great giveaway love reading the comments
Troy Bowman is a great math teacher
I nominate Casey Corkern.
She’s an amazing teacher.
I am not sure how to link my tweet.
But my twitter Id is ohslowdown
I nominate Thomas Trettel for the Office Max as he is a dedicated teacher and cares about the children’s learning and is dedicated and passionate about his teaching profession!
I nominate Joe Hays. For reasons why, read his blog. http://joehays.wordpress.com/ As far back as you want and you’ll see he only gets more worthy. I wish I had a teacher like him when I was young. Truly.
Thank you
.-= yael´s last blog ..rewind II: nyc =-.
Kristel Hansen works as a science teacher at a jr high in West Valley City, Utah. This year she isn’t getting any help with science supplies, and not always lab supplies either. She buys those out of pocket.
In order to inspire her students, she presents one with a “Student of the Week” award…out of her own pocket also.
The school doesn’t have air conditioning, and it’s pretty hot in her classroom – upstairs with no windows. She buys them bottled water and Otter pops to help cool it down, and brings in her own swamp coolers and fans to make it cooler.
She also coaches soccer there, and spent $60 of her own money to repaint the soccer field since the school ran out.
She stays on her own time, unpaid, after school to help students with her homework and do soccer coaching.
I know this card would help her out so much – even if just for ink for the printers. They only get so many copies a year, and have to pay for anything over their allowance.
Tweets posted on http://twitter.com/treesandshrubs/
When Mrs. H took a job teaching 5th grade in a small Christian school over Christmas break last year, I thought she was nuts. She hadn’t taught school in nearly 10 years and was entering a new school mid-way through the year. She would be paid essentially nothing, but receive free tuition for her children as her primary compensation. She spent her entire summer preparing for a new class and grade level, as well as repainting the entire room herself. Mrs. H does not receive health insurance for her children, and just found out that they need $5000+ of dental work. I know that this recognition would not only be used extremely wisely, but would be so appreciated for a underpaid and overworked wonderful teacher.
tweets:
http://twitter.com/speech_hero/status/4611351306
http://twitter.com/speech_hero/status/4611356353
http://twitter.com/speech_hero/status/4611361289
I nominate my sister Mel who works for FBISD. She goes out of her way to help students as well as teachers. She’s beloved in the teaching community and inspires everyone with her selflessness.
My post:
http://donna444444.blogspot.com/2009/09/day-made-better.html
My tweets:
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/4621404499
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/4621718488
http://twitter.com/donnak4/status/4621359291
i would like to nominate Joe Hays . . . his dedication to his children is extreme, and his students would greatly benefit . . .