DeSales Teacher Wins Patterson Pledge Grant
Lockport, NY - DeSales 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Michelle Robinson was the lucky recipient of a grant from world renowned author, James Patterson and Scholastic Book Clubs. This grant was part of the 2018 Classroom Library Campaign. With this grant, Mrs. Robinson received a $500 grant and 500 bonus points. The Patterson Pledge program focuses on teachers: 4,000 individual recipients received grants to enhance and supplement their classroom libraries. James Patterson increased his pledge from $1.75 million in past years to $2 million in 2018 to address the dire need for funding exemplified by the previous year’s campaign, which drew a record 82,622 applicants – more than three times the amount received in 2015 and 2016 combined.
James Patterson said, “I was humbled to see the overwhelming response to last year’s grant campaign, and I’m happy to reach even more teachers this time around. I can’t underscore enough how important books and reading are to a child’s development – better readers make better people, and ultimately better citizens. I’m so grateful for the teachers who are doing imperative work with students every day, in every school in the country. These grants are my way of acknowledging their extraordinary efforts.”
DeSales Principal, Mrs. Karen Rahill commented on the grant saying “Mrs. Robinson’s students are enjoying their expanded classroom library. These books will be utilized by students for years to come.”
