HC educators restock classrooms with gifts at Teacher’s Night Out

When Megan Scheer was handed a pinwheel at Teacher's Night Out at Airport Road Vineyard on Wednesday, Feb. 27, she knew it was the perfect item to complete her kindergarten classroom's 'calm down” kit.

'It's funny the things we get excited about,” said Scheer, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School.

Teachers, faculty and staff from Henry County schools were offered a beverage, snacks, other goodies at the second Teacher's Night Out hosted by the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance, where 24 area businesses showed their appreciation and support of area educators. Everything was on the house, with the Chamber covering the cost of the evening thanks to their sponsors.

By the end of the night, everyone's arms were carrying a blue Walmart bag, a yellow Beck's Hybrids bag and other bags heavy with treasures.

Amanda Jarvis, instructional strategist at the Mt. Pleasant Middle School, was excited she didn't have to wait for a paycheck to restock her classroom.

'We run out of Kleenex, glue sticks or lose scissors so often. This is one of those blessings,” she said.

During the busy school year, teachers from other buildings don't get the chance to see each other very often. Jarvis said the positive encouragement they get to exchange with each other during Teacher's Night out carries them through the rest of the school year.

Jennie Johnson, language arts teacher at Mt. Pleasant Middle School, said any time she can spend with teachers outside of school is a good time.

Mari Butler, language arts teacher at MPCHS, said it's so good of the community to show their support of teachers with Teacher's Night Out. Last year, she walked away with so many boxes of much-needed tissues, she said.

Butler also appreciated all the extra pencils she collected during the evening.

'It's happy,” Butler said. 'Look how many people it brings out. It's fun to be able to see each other and eat food.”

Jeff Batty, social studies teacher at Mt. Pleasant Community High School, said the event really made him feel appreciated, and the businesses do a good job of bringing gifts for the teachers that will help them out in the classroom.

Brooke Patton, first year preschool teacher at Van Allen Elementary School, was delighted with Teacher's Night Out. Her favorite item? Hand sanitizer.

'Being new to this town, I think it's wonderful,” Patton said, as she browsed what different businesses have to offer.

Chad Sloat, Walmart store manager in Mt. Pleasant, a lead sponsor of Teacher's Night Out, said the night is about investing in those who invest in the youth of the community.

'It's educating the next generation of community leaders,” Sloat said, as he handed out pens, water bottles and stress balls from Walmart.

Pilot Grove Savings Bank was handing out colored paper, rulers, note pads and pens. Melissa Flowers, with Pilot Grove, said they like to sponsor anything with educators.

'We know a lot of teachers spend money on school supplies and pay for it out of their own pocket,” Flowers said.

Alicia Whalen was handing out samples of essential oils to show her appreciation for teachers.

Whalen, who has two students at Lincoln Elementary School, said she knows her daughter's teachers care about them as much as she does.

'I feel like we're a team working for the benefit of our children,” Whalen said.