Second-grade teacher JoEllen Shanks and the students at Stone Lake Elementary in the Elk Grove Unified School District had a pair of special visitors at their campus on February 24. Sacramento Kings players Donte Greene and Carl Landry stopped by to honor Mrs. Shanks as one of the 2010 Sacramento County Teachers of the Year and to promote the joys of education.
In conjunction with the Kings' "Read to Achieve" program, the players read to the students and talked to them about the importance of education. "Read to Achieve" is designed to help young people develop a life-long love for reading and encourage adults to read regularly with children.
"Reading is important because it's something that you will need to use for the rest of your lives," Landry told the students during the special after-school assembly.
Both players reminded the children to appreciate school and to value the lessons they are being taught. After reading and taking questions from the students, Greene and Landry posed for pictures with the students and presented them with autographed tote bags filled with gifts from the Kings organization.
For more than 15 years, the Sacramento Kings have helped recognize district and county Teachers of the Year. The district and County Teachers of the Year 2010 in Sacramento County were honored on February 5 when the Kings hosted the Phoenix Suns at ARCO Arena.
The Sacramento County Teachers of the Year program is presented by SCOE in partnership with Maloof Sports and Entertainment, Intel-Folsom and the
Sacramento Scottish Rite Bodies of Freemasonry.
Information about the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year Program is available online or by contacting the Sacramento County Office of Education at (916) 228-2417.