SACRAMENTO – “The Big Spin®” show aired Saturday, August 21, 2004 and featured Jan Eickelmann of La Quinta who received the Lottery’s “Exceptional Educator” Award from Senator Jim Battin. Ms. Eickelmann is a hard-working first and second grade teacher who has truly made a difference for students at Harry S. Truman Elementary School in La Quinta.
Ten years ago, Ms. Eickelmann led the efforts to establish one of the school’s first multi-age classrooms. This classroom is similar to the one-room school house which fosters a caring, “family” atmosphere that her students flourish in. Because Ms. Eickelmann’s class includes first and second graders, she has extra time to dedicate to them. Also, this opportunity gives siblings a chance to be in the same class at the same time. Students remain constructively active tending the pets and the school garden, as well as always having access to academically stimulating games.
The California Lottery’s “Exceptional Educator” Award has been presented on “The Big Spin®” television show since April of 2001. The Lottery enlists legislators and state officials to present these awards which recognize outstanding teachers whose extraordinary efforts help California students to succeed.
The California Lottery is proud to have achieved the public’s mandate of providing supplemental funding to education in fiscal year 2003-04 by contributing over $1 billion to public schools for the fourth consecutive year.
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