Hanceville, Ala. – The Alabama Education Association is pleased to announce Michelle Pender, a first-grade teacher at Hanceville Elementary, is the district 2 winner of the 2021 Be A Champion and Read Decorating Contest. As the winner, Pender received $200 that can be used in her classroom or school.
Pender, a first-time winner after participating in the contest for four years, has always encouraged her students to participate in the Be A Champion and Read Contest for a chance to attend the Iron Bowl. “Every chance kids get to practice reading the better they get at it,” said Pender.
Pender has chosen to donate the $200 prize money to the Hanceville Elementary art program. The art program is new this year and has limited supplies and money. “I want to support our art teacher and buy supplies she needs to teach,” said Pender.
AEA President Dr. Susan Williams Brown said, “AEA is dedicated to promoting a love of reading for all Alabama students, and our Be A Champion and Read Contest is a terrific way to motivate students to read. I congratulate Michelle Pender for her dedication developing a love of reading in her students and commend her for supporting her fellow teacher with the prize money.”
AEA’s Be A Champion and Read decorating contest ran in conjunction with the Be A Champion and Read student reading contest. To qualify to win the decorating contest, educators across Alabama submitted photos of decorated bulletin boards, walls, or doors that promoted the Be A Champion and Read Contest in their school. One winner was selected from each in-service center district.
L-R: Dr. Susan Williams Brown, AEA President; Michelle Pender, winner and first-grade teacher; Lisa Faust, AEA UniServ Director.
