Third-Grade Teacher Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime

The Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week in the Inland Empire as they made a stop at South Tamarind Elementary School in Fontana to surprise a well-deserving teacher with a myriad of school supplies and a stage makeover worth $5,000 on Tuesday, May 3. Third-grade teacher Mrs. Shelley Coakley “goes above and beyond to help her students,” Principal Joel Aviña shared. Mrs. Coakley’s class is a mixture of English as Second Language (ESL) students, special needs students, shy students, etc. “Specifically what she does, is she puts together these plays,” Aviña explained. He is most proud of Mrs. Coakley’s ability to encourage and motivate her students through performance art. “By the end of the year, they’re up on the stage reciting their lines and it’s just so beautiful to see,” he explained. “It’s amazing; the parents and I are in awe…we think ‘how’d she do that?’ These are really shy kids, it’s hard for an adult to speak in front of a lot of people.” The surprise took place in the auditorium where Mrs. Coakley and her students rehearse and perform their plays. According to Principal Aviña, Mrs. Coakley believed that Fontana’s Superintendent of Schools Leslie Boozer had been invited to watch their play. Which was technically the truth since Boozer joined in on the event to help surprise Mrs. Coakley and then stayed to watch her talented students perform their historic play. Aviña said with a chuckle, “she [was] a little mad at me because she wanted to use the auditorium in the morning to rehearse but I wouldn’t let her.” Which is where the Honda Guys were, busy giving her stage a makeover and setting up all of the new school supplies for her. Various classes filled the auditorium; audience members included Superintendent Leslie Boozer and Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren, as well. “This is just so exciting…I might just cry during the surprise moment,” Mayor Warren said. As Mrs. Coakley and her third-grades, dressed in costume, entered the auditorium, the stage curtains remained closed. However, as Mrs. Coakley approached the front of the stage, Principal Aviña welcomed everyone and briefly shared and thanked Mrs. Coakley for her dedication to her students. The curtains opened and revealed the Helpful Honda Guys standing on her upgraded stage as it was filled with brand new school supplies including new stage risers, a library of entertaining grade-level books, crayons, paper, and more. Overall, she brings out the very best of her students by teaching them important skills through educational performances and plays. “It’s just amazing what she does…she really motivates them,” Principal Aviña added. [END] Please let me know if you’d like to send a reporter/photographer to join us on Tuesday, May 3rd as the Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers surprise local 3rd grade FONTANA TEACHER, Mrs. Shelley Coakley of South Tamarind Elementary School with a surprise $5,000 donation of her dream wish-list of school supplies, including a fresh paint job of the school’s stage, new stage risers for her school plays & performances, school supplies, fun reading books, and so much more! Please DO NOT CONTACT THE SCHOOL OR TEACHER in advance of this presentation – Mrs. Coakley doesn’t know it’s happening! =) See below for more information, and please contact me directly if you’d like to send a reporter or photographer. Thank you. Tracy Galermo | remarq | office: 310.479.2211| tracy@remarqinc.com |cell: 562.981.4485 TUESDAY, MAY 3rd, 8:45AM: MRS. SHELLEY COAKLEY, 3rd Grade Teacher South Tamarind Elementary School: 8561 Tamarind Ave, Fontana, CA 92335 ·Press arrival: 8AM Mrs. Shelley Coakley was nominated by school Principal Joel Aviña to receive a special Teacher Appreciation recognition from the SoCal Honda Dealers. Principal Aviña is most proud of Mrs. Coakley’s ability to encourage and motivate her students through performance art. Mrs. Coakley’s students are a mix of English as Second Language (ESL), students with special needs, shy students and students who struggle with being able to focus – it doesn’t matter; she’s able to bring out the best of her students and helps them learn by reading, writing, speaking, dancing and even singing through performances and plays she puts on for the entire school, staff, families and friends. The Helpful Teams will be surprising Mrs. Coakley with a stage makeover, including new performance stage risers and costumes, and will give the stage and auditorium a new look with fresh paint. She will also be surprised with much-needed supplies including a library of entertaining grade-level books, crayons, and paper.