It Starts with a Square

2021 CEF Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

BY Regan Hewitt

After having to forgo their annual teacher appreciation luncheon in 2020 due to COVID-19, the Collierville Education Foundation is back with this beloved event where they hand out $50 mini-grants to teachers. They have given out $1.4 million in grants since their inception in 1998, and have a 5-year plan to give out $500,000 annually.

On July 29th, 2021, Collierville Education Foundation volunteers, sponsors and donors – along with representatives from the Town of Collierville and the Collierville school board – hosted a BBQ lunch for over 700 Collierville teachers at Collierville High School. The luncheon was sponsored by Southern Security Federal Credit Union, and was served by CEF and student volunteers. The BBQ was cooked by none other than Dustey Walley, the 2019 Memphis in May Whole Hog World Champion!

 

Dr. Gary Lilly, Collierville Schools Superintendent

After a brief introduction by CEF President Chuck Lesnick, Mayor Stan Joyner welcomed the teachers and thanked them for all their hard work over the past year. He also mentioned that with more COVID-19 cases on the rise, a new health directive was being worked on, and would be provided to the public as soon as it was ready. Mayor Joyner has yet to see the directive himself. At the time of publication, it has been indicated that Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris intends to release a new health directive on August 4th.

Throughout the luncheon, there were 3 rounds of mini-grant awards, divided up by elementary, middle and high schools. Each grant was worth $50 and 200 teachers received them! Lesnick said that CEF’s goal is to award every qualified grant they receive, and teachers were excited to see those grants come to life.

Collierville teachers listen as mini-grants are awarded

However, the biggest surprise of the luncheon was when Kent Ritchey and Don Kitchens of Landers Ford took the stage. In his brief speech, Ritchey mentioned that Collierville was like no other market Landers Ford had ever seen and he was always proud to be part of the town. “It’s the only place where we had a tax increase and said, ‘Thank you!’,” he joked with the Mayor, Town Administrator and Board of Aldermen representatives.

After his speech, Kent Ritchey called up the 10 principles of the Collierville Schools, saying that he had surprises in store for all of them. Landers Ford then randomly awarded Sycamore Elementary’s Principal, Julie Reagan, $10,000! The other 9 principles each received $1,000. The cheers could have brought down the roof!

Landers Ford awards one Collierville principal a substantial cash prize

Others speakers included Dawn Graeter of Southern Security Federal Credit Union, Collierville Schools Superintendent Dr. Gary Lilly, CEF Managing Director Terri O’Connor and CEF Vice President Jeff Elsworth. O’Connor announced that CEF mini-grant applications are now open for the new school year! Elsworth spoke about their new campaign for the CEF 100 Club, with a goal to reach $500,000 in donations. You can learn more about this opportunity to donate by visiting their website here.

Thank you to all the Collierville teachers who make our school system and our town so special! We hope you enjoyed celebrating your hard work!

Story | Regan Hewitt

September/October 2021 Tour Collierville Magazine