By Stephanie Hacke

Published: Wednesday, October 3, 2012, 9:29 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Jackie Jakubowski fought back tears as she sorted through the large orange box filled with a variety of classroom supplies, including sidewalk chalk, hot pink folders and a video camera. And that was just the start.

“I don't even know what to say,” said Jakubowski, a second-grade teacher at McClellan Elementary School. “I can't wait to look through all of this. There's so much stuff in there that you can use for writing and organization.”

Jakubowski was of 1,000 teachers nationwide to receive the OfficeMax “A Day Made Better” award on Tuesday, meant to honor teachers for exceptional work in and around the school.

The “A Day Made Better” program, in its sixth year, is meant to help offset money teachers spend out-of-pocket on classroom supplies. Jakubowski received more than $1,000 in school supplies, said Pleasant Hills OfficeMax store manager Jason Hails.

“She was pretty elated. She was in shock. She had no idea this was going on,” he said, after surprising Jakubowski with an award and gifts.

McClellan Principal Justin Liberatore nominated Jakubowski for the award.

“I couldn't think of a more deserving person,” he said.

In his nomination letter, Liberatore said Jakubowski is the perfect example of the West Jefferson Hills School District motto, “It's All About the Kids.”

She is a “real asset to our school, inside and out,” Liberatore said in the letter, noting she also leads programs outside of the classroom.

“I cannot imagine our school without her.”

Stephanie Hacke is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5818 or shacke@tribweb.com.

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