Myers teacher gets a big surprise -- the good kind

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 2, 2012) – Breton Teresi looked puzzled when Principal Kimberly Wilkins, Ed.D., made an unscheduled stop in her fourth-period English class at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School on Oct. 2.

Confusion gave way to surprise, then tears, when Dr. Wilkins told Teresi that she had just won more than $1,000 worth of school supplies through OfficeMax’s Adopt A Classroom program.

Dr. Wilkins nominated Teresi for the award more than a year ago because of Teresi’s dedication to her students, her creativity in the classroom and the positive energy and attitude she brings to Myers every day.

The nomination made it up the OfficeMax corporate food chain, and Dr. Wilkins was notified Sept. 26 that Teresi was selected.

“I am just thrilled. Breton is truly a beautiful person inside and out. She’s an amazing teacher and the kids love her,” Dr. Wilkins said. 

Teresi received a new desk chair, a camera, a computer station, anti-virus computer software, a document laminator and a desk set, in addition to two washing-machine sized boxes of paper, Post-It notes, tape, binders, pencils, folders and hundreds of other items that make for a well-equipped classroom. (Above, Teresi begins to sort through her gifts, which arrived in two boxes the size of washing machines.)

Myers also benefited from the generosity of OfficeMax, which donated a digital camera and fax machine for the whole school’s use.

The mission of the City School District of Albany is to educate and nurture all students to be responsible citizens, critical thinkers and lifelong learners to successfully compete in the global community by providing an academically rigorous and safe environment in partnership with parents, students and the community. The district serves about 8,600 students in 15 elementary, middle and high schools. In addition to neighborhood schools, the district includes several magnet schools and programs, as well as other innovative academic opportunities for students, including four themed academies at Albany High School.