The Classroom Heroes Award Honors Frontline Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The past year has been challenging for everyone, especially frontline teachers. From managing remote learning, social distancing, quarantines and even natural disasters, teachers have gone above and beyond to support their students despite the odds. We at the Landers Auto Group decided to do something to give back and honor these teachers by introducing the Classroom Heroes Award.

In partnership with KARK 4 / Fox 16, the Landers Auto Group of Arkansas has launched the Classroom Heroes Award to recognize our hard-working teachers in Arkansas during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Landers Auto Group of Norman, Oklahoma, has partnered with SportsTalk Radio , the University of Oklahoma (OU) and the Oklahoma Education Association (OEA) to award elementary school teachers. In Missouri, the Landers Chevrolet Cadillac of Joplin has partner with KOAM-TV to award K-12 teachers.

The Classroom Heroes Award was first presented in the fall of 2020 in response to the challenging circumstances teachers were facing during the pandemic. Each month, nominations from peers, parents and students are judged, and one winner is chosen to receive $500 to share with their school and a gift bag. At the end of the semester, the public votes online for the Semester Hero who is honored with $5,000 to share with their school and a special Classroom Heroes trophy.

Arkansas Classroom Hero Nancy Gibbons

Nancy Gibbons was chosen as the November Classroom Hero. Nancy is the 8th Grade Business Education/Career Development teacher at PInnacle View Middle School. She is currently in her 31st year of teaching, and she has had the pleasure of teaching all three of her daughters. At the end of the fall 2020 semester, Nancy Gibbons was chosen as the Semester Hero and was awarded with the grand prize money and trophy.

Missouri Classroom Hero Elizabeth Merrell

Elizabeth Merell was chosen as the September Classroom Hero and went on to earn the grand prize at the end of the semester! Mrs. Merrell teaches at Carl Junction School District and was nominated by a parent of one of her students. When voting opened for the Semester Hero, Mrs. Merrell won with 3,269 votes!

Oklahoma Classroom Hero Emily Burris

Emily Burris was chosen as the Oklahoma Semester Classroom Hero with 6,846 votes! Emily teaches at Independence Elementary School and was nominated by a parent of one of her students. The nomination said, “She works to make schools a place kids live to be. My child who never wanted to go to school, but now never wants to miss a day because she makes learning so much fun. She works to make students feel warm and welcome, like the class wouldn’t be the same without them. “

Voting for the Spring Semester Classroom Heroes is now open for Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Click the links below to vote for your favorite Classroom Hero where you live!

Vote for the Arkansas Semester Hero

Vote for the Oklahoma Semester Hero

Vote for the Missouri Semester Hero