Alumna named local Teacher of the Year
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-Amber (Giggy) Bretzman was named 2007 Local Teacher of the Year by the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Columbia City, Ind. Bretzman teaches fifth grade at Northern Heights Elementary School in Columbia City. Amber Bretzman
She graduated from Huntington University in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She resides in North Manchester with her husband, Kevin. As a student at Huntington, Bretzman participated in mission trips to Jamaica and Honduras. She was also a Huntington County Grant Scholarship recipient.
The Local Teacher of the Year honor is awarded by each Wal-Mart location to an outstanding teacher in their area during National Teacher Appreciation Week in May. These teachers receive a $1,000 educational grant for their schools and are eligible to apply for the State Teacher of the Year award.
Applicants for the award must detail their contributions to students, initiate programs or projects geared toward producing student achievement, respond to education issues that affect students, and be involved in volunteer work in the community.
The Teacher of the Year program is a part of Wal-Mart's long-term commitment to support education throughout the United States. 2007 marks the 12th year of this program and more than $5 million given to schools across the country in honor of their outstanding teachers. Since its inception in 1995, Wal-Mart's Teacher of the Year program has recognized more than 26,000 teachers at the local, state and national level for their hard work and dedication to the betterment of our children. This year, Wal-Mart will contribute more than $45 million in support of educational initiatives.
