$4.2 Million Awarded to Schools in Program’s 10th year
BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 3, 2005 – More than 3,800 outstanding teachers who are making a positive difference in the lives of young people are being recognized this week through Wal-Mart’s 10th annual Teacher of the Year program. As a result of their selection, schools of winning teachers will receive $1,000 each from Wal-Mart. Through the program, Wal-Mart is donating $4.2 million to schools of winning teachers nationwide. One teacher is selected by each neighborhood Wal-Mart store, SAM’S CLUB, Neighborhood Market store and Wal-Mart Distribution Center across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
In conjunction with Phi Delta Kappa International, a national professional education association, Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB associates at each of the company’s approximately 3,800 locations are announcing the local teacher winners. Many honorees will be surprised with a special ceremony at their school. The recognition comes during Teacher Appreciation Week, which is May 1-7, and in honor of National Teacher’s Day, which is Tuesday, May 3.
Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporate supporters of teachers and education – last year alone the company gave away more than $45 million in support of educational initiatives, according to Betsy Reithemeyer, vice president of corporate affairs for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Teachers play a pivotal role in the lives of young people,” said Reithemeyer. “Everyone remembers at least one special teacher who made a significant difference in their lives. We want to honor those outstanding educators who have done so much good for so many in our communities.”
Since it began in 1995, Wal-Mart Stores Teacher of the Year Program has honored more than 25,000 teachers nationwide and donated more than $18.5 million to local schools.
In addition to the $1,000 educational grants, winning teachers will receive a $50 shopping card to buy supplies for their classroom and an honorary Wal-Mart greeter’s vest. These teachers also have the opportunity to apply for state and national Teacher of the Year honors, according to Reithemeyer, for which Wal-Mart donates an additional $10,000 to schools of state winners. All state winners are automatically entered into the national competition. The national winner will receive an additional $25,000 educational grant for a total of $36,000 to his or her school.
“Educators need to be recognized now more than ever as they face the current challenges of improving student achievement," said Dr. William Bushaw, Executive Director of Phi Delta Kappa International. “The recognition that this program brings, as well as the dollars it provides to schools to purchase resources that can make teachers better educators, is why we are so pleased to work in partnership with the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation every year. It is a very tangible contribution by corporate America toward school improvement across the country.”
Winning teacher names across the 50 U.S. states and Puerto Rico will be available on www.walmartfoundation.org under “Teacher of Year 2005” on May 15. (Contact your local Wal-Mart or SAM’S Club, or Wal-Mart media relations, for names of recipients before then.)
About Phi Delta Kappa International
Phi Delta Kappa International is committed to leadership, service, and research in education. It is a professional association composed of educators at all levels. Member chapters are active throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. As an association, Phi Delta Kappa works to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. In addition, the organization supports educators in their work through publications, research, and professional development opportunities. Visit www.pdkintl.org to learn more about Phi Delta Kappa International.
About Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
More information about Wal-Mart’s charitable giving per state and other causes and programs can be found at www.walmartfacts.com. More information about the Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB Foundation is available at www.walmartfoundation.org.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM’S CLUB locations in the United States. Internationally, the company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, South Korea and the United Kingdom. The company’s securities are listed on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
Educational Grants Awarded by State
Editor’s Note: Please contact your local Wal-Mart, SAM’S CLUB or Media Relations for the name and school of the local winner(s) in your community.
State Number of Local Teacher of the Year Winners
in the State Educational Grant Dollars Awarded in the State on National Teacher’s Day*
| Alabama | 105 | $105,000 |
| Alaska | 10 | $10,000 |
| Arizona | 71 | $71,000 |
| Arkansas | 103 | $103,000 |
| California | 194 | $194,000 |
| Colorado | 73 | $73,000 |
| Connecticut | 35 | $35,000 |
| Delaware | 10 | $10,000 |
| Florida | 220 | $220,000 |
| Georgia | 141 | $141,000 |
| Hawaii | 9 | $9,000 |
| Idaho | 18 | $18,000 |
| Illinois | 150 | $150,000 |
| Indiana | 108 | $108,000 |
| Iowa | 59 | $59,000 |
| Kansas | 65 | $65,000 |
| Kentucky | 87 | $87,000 |
| Louisiana | 98 | $98,000 |
| Maine | 24 | $24,000 |
| Maryland | 51 | $51,000 |
| Massachusetss | 47 | $47,000 |
| Michigan | 96 | $96,000 |
| Minnesota | 62 | $62,000 |
| Mississippi | 75 | $75,000 |
| Missouri | 133 | $133,000 |
| Montana | 12 | $12,000 |
| Nebraska | 29 | $29,000 |
| Nevada | 30 | $30,000 |
| New Hampshire | 32 | $32,000 |
| New Jersey | 46 | $46,000 |
| New Mexico | 33 | $33,000 |
| New York | 96 | $96,000 |
| North Carolina | 130 | $130,000 |
| North Dakota | 10 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 114 | $144,000 |
| Oklahoma | 106 | $106,000 |
| Oregon | 29 | $29,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 133 | $133,000 |
| Rhode Island | 9 | $9,000 |
| South Carolina | 71 | $71,000 |
| South Dakota | 12 | $12,000 |
| Tennessee | 116 | $116,000 |
| Texas | 418 | $418,000 |
| Utah | 45 | $45,000 |
| Vermont | 4 | $4,000 |
| Virginia | 95 | $95,000 |
| Washington | 41 | $41,000 |
| West Virginia | 32 | $32,000 |
| Wisconsin | 86 | $86,000 |
| Wyoming | 11 | $11,000 |
*Dollars donated during the local winner phase of the program.
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