Six teachers at Brinson Memorial Elementary in New Bern received a surprise boost to their classrooms on March 15, 2024, through the Subaru Loves Learning grant program. Each educator was presented with a box of school supplies and a grant check of $500 during a special event organized by representatives from Riverside Subaru.
Ainsley Munro, the Love Promise coordinator and customer relations specialist at Riverside Subaru, along with sales professional Mark Nesser, distributed the supplies and grants throughout the school day. “We surprised six teachers and six classrooms with their grant and their school supplies,” Nesser stated. The initiative aims to enhance educational experiences by providing essential resources, allowing teachers to better serve their students.
Brinson Memorial Elementary, located at 319 Neuse Forrest Ave., was specifically chosen for this grant program by Subaru’s corporate office. The Subaru Loves Learning program is designed to support teachers across the United States by providing necessary funding for classroom supplies and resources. The six selected teachers were chosen at random to receive their grants alongside a small box of educational supplies.
One of the recipients, Kim Bailey, a resource teacher for exceptional children, expressed her gratitude for the funding. “We have a lot of students, especially in our separate setting room, that we need a lot more manipulatives for,” Bailey explained. She plans to use the grant to purchase items such as whiteboards and various educational tools aimed at enhancing learning for her students. “It feels really good to be supported and knowing that we can use this help,” she added, highlighting the significance of the grant for her classroom.
Another teacher, Brittany Rose, who teaches art, was equally enthusiastic about the grant. Rose previously received funding from the Harold H. Bate Foundation to purchase a kiln for the art department. She hopes to utilize the new grant to acquire supplies that will allow her students to engage in innovative art projects. “This $500 will go towards supplies for that kiln to maybe add some really cool art projects to my classrooms,” she said.
The enthusiasm among the teachers was echoed by Chris Germain, the principal of Brinson Memorial Elementary. He noted that the educators at the school are passionate about their work and will make excellent use of the grants. “I’m sure they’re going to be going home this weekend and shopping right away,” Germain remarked. He emphasized the eagerness of younger teachers to acquire supplies quickly, as well as the excitement among veteran educators.
This partnership with Riverside Subaru not only benefits the educators but also strengthens community ties. Germain pointed out that having a local dealership involved adds to the positive impact of the program. “We got to share love with everyone,” Nesser said, reflecting on the collaborative spirit of the initiative. He expressed hope that future partnerships will be just as well-received when they continue this effort next year.
The Subaru Loves Learning initiative exemplifies the importance of community support in enhancing educational opportunities, ensuring that teachers have the resources necessary to facilitate effective learning environments.
