Staff, Kindergartners, and parents came together at Johnston Elementary on January 24, for a fun and unique breakfast. The event is known as the Teddy Bear Breakfast, and it was an opportunity to surprise students with bears (from Build-A-Bear) and Bojangles biscuits. This memorable event was all thanks to a group of dedicated teachers and donors.
“A couple teachers including myself got together at the beginning of the year to discuss ways to help support our young learner's social and emotional health,” said Kindergarten teacher Shanna Buckner. “We thought it would be cool if every Kindergartner had a teddy bear to keep at school. That’s when we came up with all the amazing learning experiences we could give students by using the bears.”
At that point, Ms. Buckner began reaching out to Build-A-Bear for help with this project. The school received donated bears from a store in Nashville, TN, along with bear supplies and accessories from the store in Asheville. An anonymous donor purchased smaller bears that students could take home.
“Students will be using the bears in various settings in the classroom,” Ms. Buckner said. “We will promote a love for reading by having students reading to their bears. Various math activities will involve students working with their bears. The opportunities are endless when it comes to building the students' learning experience both inside and outside the classroom.”
Principal Angie Trantham is overwhelmed with joy by the outpouring of support from the community.
“To be able to provide a family friendly event with food and great information is always a win win,” she said. “Our goal is to ensure our families always feel welcome, supported and an integral part of their student's education. The teachers in this building have GREAT ideas for involving families and equipping them with the tools they need to connect with our curriculum and to reinforce meaningful concepts at home. When your students, teachers and parents all come together with enthusiasm and support, a leader can't ask for more.”
