Minkel and Stout are being rewarded with a $100,000 grant to fund their vision of “The Home Library Effect.” The program will transform 1,000 of the world’s at-risk readers by creating a statewide literacy initiative that has not only been recognized by Sec. Ducan but President Obama as well. The program initially started on a smaller scale with a 1,000 Books Project for their 2nd graders in 2010, but now they will take the project to a larger scale of 25,000 books for 1,000 children. The program will allow children to create a space in their homes for a library and choose books to fill it.
The Thank A Million Teachers program was launched earlier this year, inviting individuals across America to offer heartfelt thanks to teachers, present and past, for their positive impact on students and communities. Teachers were then invited to participate in the Dream Big Teacher Challenge, submitting proposals for their chance to be one of the five outstanding teachers nationwide awarded with a grant to help them transform their school and community.
“Through the Dream Big Teacher Challenge submissions, we received proposals from teachers across the country with great visions and aspirations to propel their classroom education experience to the next level for their students,” said Erin Freeman, Chief Communications Officer for Farmers Insurance. “Today, Farmers is thrilled to honor Mr. Minkel and Ms. Stout with a $100,000 educational grant their proposal “The Home Library Effect” which will surely teach their students that the boundaries on learning are limitless. We are grateful to help make Mr. Minkel and Ms. Stout’s dreams come true and allow them to serve as an exemplary educator.”
In addition to winning the $100,000 educational grant, Minkel and Stout will ride atop the Farmers Insurance “Dream Big: World of Possibility” float at the 126th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California,on January 1, 2015. Minkel and Stout will ride the float with fellow Dream Big Teacher Challenge winners.
Check local listings and tune in on January 1 to see Farmers honor teachers in a big way. Visit www.thankamillionteachers.com to learn more about the program.
