Community support helped six teachers complete their classrooms

Teachers from six Castle Pines feeder schools each received more than $1,000 in classroom supplies as part of The Connection’s Complete the Classroom event.

The community came together in a big way last month to support local teachers. The Castle Pines Connection partnered with local businesses, nonprofits and neighbors to help educators purchase supplies for their classrooms in a “Complete the Classroom” event. Community members sent in nominations, and we selected one teacher from each of our six community feeder schools as a recipient.

“The nomination emails about the teachers were inspirational and filled with appreciation for the many ways these teachers go above and beyond in the service of their students,” said Publisher Terri Wiebold.

The recipients were: American Academy first grade teacher Caitlynn Birkmeier; Buffalo Ridge Elementary fourth grade teacher Hallie Burke; DCS Montessori seventh grade teacher Jessica Bunch; Rock Canyon High School business department teacher Janna Robinett; Rocky Heights Middle School drama teacher Geoff Whitesell; and Timber Trail Elementary significant support needs “SSN” teacher Jennifer Di Capo.

The Castle Pines Connection staff visited the winning teachers in their classrooms and presented each with a giant $600 check––symbolic of the $600 in supplies each teacher received off their classroom Amazon “wish list.” They each also received some fun additional gift items, bringing the total of their winnings to more than $1,000 each.

Delivering the checks and visiting with the classrooms was really quite special, said Terri. “The teachers were all incredibly appreciative and some even emotional,” she shared.

One teacher commented that when she first received the congratulations email, she thought for sure that it must be a scam because she did not believe anyone could be so benevolent. Another reflected on the many ways her curriculum will be enhanced to benefit her students and her gratitude for the support.

This event was all made possible thanks to the generous financial contributions from you, our readers, as well as our business partners.

DCS Montessori seventh grade teacher Jessica Bunch’s students were excited to receive the smart control projector with retractable screen and speakers they were gifted as part of The Connection’s Complete the Classroom event.

Timber Trail Elementary SSN teacher Jennifer Di Capo with her students and some of the classroom supplies she received from her Amazon wish list, including: a hanging hammock swing, calming sensory rocking chairs and swivel seat, and a dome tent playhouse.