East Lansdowne Elementary School teachers are starting the school year with a fresh outlook, thanks to a teachers’ lounge makeover, writes Eva Andersen for CBS News Philadelphia.
Back in January, Walmart and Crayola partnered on a contest, which East Lansdowne fourth-grade teacher Rachael Albert decided to enter.
From 10,000 applicants nationwide, 24 schools were selected. One of them was East Lansdowne Elementary.
“It was really exciting to see when I did win,” Albert said. “And [our principal] Ms. Cifuni was very excited as well.”
Walmart staff members showed up Aug. 22 to revamp the lounge with $3,000 worth of new furniture.
Metal folding chairs in the lounge were replaced with a sofa, tables, and chairs, along with wall art, rugs, a microwave oven, and a coffee maker.
Crayola donated $1,000 in school supplies, while a $1,000 gift card will be used to buy a TV for the lounge.
Walmart worker Amber Warfel from Clifton Heights said that for her, the makeover was a way to thank the teachers of her three children.
The teachers cheered the new lounge.
“It went from a place that was a dungeon to a place where you don’t mind eating your lunch,” said sixth-grade teacher Kim Brown.
Read more about the teachers’ lounge makeover at CBS News Philadelphia.
