Lately, I’ve been at some events attended by teachers who had received their Tucson Values Teachers discount cards. Oftentimes these “discounts” can be hard to get. You know, restaurants that will give you a free dessert if you show up — when you’re not hungry — before 4 p.m. on a Tuesday or Thursday.
But these teachers seemed excited about these discounts. And, if I may interpret a little, I think they were genuinely honored by what some local businesses are offering. Yes, there is a free dessert offering, or a glass of wine, but both the Cup Café in Hotel Congress and Maynards Market and Kitchen will give it to teachers with a dinner entrée any night of the week. Jim Click Automotive, which was the underwriter of the summer incentive, has a whole list of discounts and on top of it will give a $100 donation to the teacher’s choice of a school activity. For teachers who are thinking more “staycation” this summer, Loews Ventana Canyon Resort is offering a discounted room rate as low as I’ve ever heard of and it includes half-off breakfast and discounts on spa services.
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Tucson Values Teachers says it doesn’t want to be just another apple-for-a-teacher public campaign but an effort to encourage the collaboration, optimism and support necessary for what they’re calling their three Rs: to retain, recruit and reward K-12 teachers.
Recent months have been economically trying for nearly everyone, but K-12 education has shouldered more than its share of cuts in a state that had already placed education at the bottom of the financial ladder. It’s interesting to note that in Inside Tucson Business’ online Business Pulse poll this week, the lowest response rate was from people who agreed with the cuts. Far more people responded the state should have made other cuts or raised taxes.
So thank you to the businesses and leaders who are behind Tucson Values Teachers: Caliber Communications, Cox Communications, the Diamond Family Foundation, the Groundskeeper, Jim Click Automotive, Lewis & Roca, Raytheon Missile Systems, the Rodel Foundation, Sebra, Southern Arizona Leadership Council, Tucson Southern Arizona Black Chamber of Commerce, Wells Fargo and the Zuckerman Community Outreach Foundation.
There is still much to be done and the Tucson Values Teachers website — www.TucsonValuesTeachers.org — offers some ideas.
Comments
Terry wrote on May 29, 2009 1:00 PM:
While all participants should be commended for their support, it would have been nice to obtain significantly more participation. No surprise that Jim Click is a leader in this effort. He has done a lot for the community; with the exception of using out-of-town marketing agencies. Maybe that is just an area he has not paid attetion to. "