The Classroom Heroes Award Honors Frontline Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

From learning how to manage a classroom remotely, to finding creative ways to keep students safe in the classroom, teachers all over the world have had to adapt to teach and support their students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. At Landers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we decided we should find a way to give back to our amazing frontline teachers.  In partnership with KARK 4 / Fox 16, the Landers Auto Group has launched the Classroom Heroes Award to recognize our hard-working teachers in Arkansas during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Nominate an Arkansas teacher for the Classroom Heroes Award 

As a part of our “Do Good Feel Good” campaign, we at the Landers Auto Group decided to respond to the challenges our teachers in Arkansas are facing with the Classroom Heroes Award. Each month peers, parents, and students nominate teachers and and one winner is chosen to receive $500 to share with their school and a gift basket. At the end of the semester, the public votes online for the Semester Hero who is honored with $5,000 to share with their school and a special Classroom Heroes trophy.

Classroom Hero Jeanne Wright

 Jeanne Wright of Lake Hamilton Middle School was chosen as the first Classroom Hero in September 2020. A parent of a former student nominated her, and in her nomination said that during the pandemic, Jeanne has “gone above and beyond to make sure her students with special needs have everything they need. She made herself available for private tutoring and made paper packets for her students who didn’t have access to the internet. She also made herself available by personal cell at any time.” 

Classroom Hero Lolitia Hayes

The October Classroom Heroes Award was given to Lolitia Hayes from Pinnacle View Middle School. Her nomination said, “Instead of just teaching geography and historic facts, Mrs. Lolitia Hayes teaches her students to learn from their classmates and teachers who come from other diverse backgrounds. Students are inspired to consistently appreciate and welcome diversity and uniqueness.” 

Classroom Hero Nancy Gibbons 

Nancy Gibbons was chosen as the November Classroom Hero, and was given the Semester Hero award at the end of the fall semester. Nancy is the 8th Grade Business Education/Career Development teacher at Pinnacle View Middle School. Nancy was nominated by her daughter. Read her nomination below: 

“Mrs. Gibbons has gone above and beyond for her students. She checked in on them every single day since the shutdown happened in March. She made sure one of her student’s family had a thermometer and groceries while recovering from covid. Every week she took them groceries out of her own paycheck. She’s been so embarrassed for me to share this but I think she is amazing and she inspired me to get my teaching license. So here I am teaching this year during a pandemic. I couldn’t be happier to be living out my dream and making sure my students are healthy and safe all because my mom inspires me.” 

The winner of the March Classroom Heroes Award will be announced our social media channels on Thursday, April 1st. Nominations for the April Classroom Heroes Award will also open on April 1st, and we need your help! Click on the link below to nominate a deserving teacher today! 

Nominate an Arkansas teacher for the Classroom Heroes Award