Recipients of Walmart’s Teacher Rewards funds at Sequim Middle School are (back row, from left) Todd Beuke and Bill Isenberg, with principal Brian Jones; (middle row, from left) Michael Galligan, Sue Brown, Diana Piersoll and Judy Nix; (front row, from left) with Susan Dwyer and Tracy Barnes, joined by Jason Bessey of Walmart.     Submitted photo

Walmart is helping 10 teachers at Sequim Middle School to purchase much-needed classroom supplies this back-to-school season as part of its Teacher Rewards program.

This year’s award recipients, from Sequim Middle School, are Sue Brown, seventh-grade math; Judy Nix, sixth-grade language arts; Bill Isenberg, eighth-grade math; Mike Galligan, seventh-grade language arts; Tracy Barnes, seventh-grade language arts/history; Todd Beuke, seventh-grade history; Jim Shingleton eighth-grade math; Susan Dwyer, seventh-grade math; Tricia Billes, seventh-grade history; and Diane Piersoll, eighth-grade math.

Nationally Walmart and Sam’s Club locations are awarding more than 45,000 educators with $100 each.

"Walmart is committed to supporting the local community and addressing unmet needs," said Walmart electronics department supervisor Jason Bessey.

"We know teachers are on tight budgets to provide supplies for their classrooms."

Educators spend approximately $500 out of their own pockets each year for classroom supplies, including snacks for students who may not have regular access to food," Bessey said.

The Teacher Rewards program helps offset those costs. Each Walmart store, distribution center and Sam’s Club location across the United States selects one local elementary or middle school and provides $100 rewards cards to 10 teachers from the selected school.

All of Walmart’s 4,558 facilities nationwide are eligible to participate in the Teacher Rewards program.

This is the second year Walmart has supported educators through Teacher Rewards as part of the company’s ongoing support of education initiatives.