BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 1, 2003 – Thousands of outstanding teachers will be surprised with a special honor on May 6, National Teacher’s Day. In conjunction with Phi Delta Kappa International, the professional education association, Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB associates at more than 3,400 stores and clubs nationwide will announce a local winner in the company’s eighth annual Teacher of the Year recognition program.

Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation will award $3.4 million on a single day – $1,000 to the school of every local winner – through the Wal-Mart Good Works community involvement program. According to Betsy Reithemeyer, director of the Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation, members of each community including fellow teachers, principals, students and parents nominated local teachers earlier this spring. Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB associates at each store selected the winning entry and will present a $1,000 educational grant from the Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation to the teacher’s school on May 6.

Winning teachers will also be presented with an honorary Wal-Mart greeter’s vest and will have the opportunity to apply for the state and national Teacher of the Year honors. Phi Delta Kappa members in each state will judge entries and select the state and national winners, added Reithemeyer. The state winner’s school will receive a $5,000 grant and the national Teacher of the Year will earn an additional $10,000 grant made payable to their school.

"Wal-Mart’s investment in teachers and our schools comes at a critical moment for American education," commented George Kersey, Jr., executive director of Phi Delta Kappa. "The economy is forcing major cuts in local school funding at a time when there is greater national demand for high student achievement. The Teacher of the Year honors are a positive step financially. Moreover, they say to teachers, ’You and the work you do are valued!’"


2003 Local Teacher of the Year Winners

Wal-Mart associates have championed educational causes for many years, according to Reithemeyer. Last year alone, Wal-Mart/SAM’S CLUB Foundation contributed $30 million for a variety of educational organizations and programs. “The Teacher of the Year recognition program is an example of our commitment to education and our appreciation for the important role that teachers play every day in the lives of young people,” said Reithemeyer.

Wal-Mart’s Teacher of the Year program is one of the largest teacher recognition programs in the country. Since its inception in 1995, it has recognized more than 14,000 teachers nationwide and contributed more than $8.4 million in educational grants to those local schools.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates more than 2,870 discount stores, Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, and more than 520 SAM’S CLUBS in the United States. Internationally, the company operates about 1,275 units. Wal-Mart employs over 1.3 million associates worldwide. In 2002, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. raised and contributed $200 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations. In 2002, Wal-Mart received the Ron Brown Award, the highest Presidential Award recognizing outstanding achievement in employee relations and community initiatives. In 2003, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. was named No. 1 on the FORTUNE magazine “Most Admired Company in the U.S.” list.

More information about Wal-Mart can be located on-line at www.walmartstores.com and www.walmart.com. The SAM’S CLUB Web site can be accessed at www.samsclub.com. And more information about Wal-Mart’s Good Works community involvement is available online at www.walmartfoundation.org.

Phi Delta Kappa International is committed to leadership, service, and research in education. It is a professional association composed of educators at all levels. Member chapters are active throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. As an association, Phi Delta Kappa works to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education, as essential to the development and maintenance of a democratic way of life. In addition, the organization supports educators in their work through publications, research, and professional development opportunities. Visit www.pdkintl.org to learn more about Phi Delta Kappa International.

Educational Grants Awarded by State