Kennewick teacher earns money from U.S. Cellular

A fourth-grade teacher at Kennewick’s Westgate Elementary School has earned some money from U.S. Cellular.

Mark Russell was one of 44 teachers in Washington to receive funding through the company’s program, “We Want to Make Daily Life Colorful and Special.”

This year, the U.S. Cellular Calling All Teachers program has funded $1 million in engaging classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. In Washington, about $25,000 will go to 29 schools to benefit more than 3,200 Washington students, said a news release.

Russell used the money to get his school a color printer valued at $750.

Earlier in the fall, teachers posted classroom projects for funding consideration that covered a variety of topics, including language and literacy, math and science, music and the arts, health and sports, and special needs.

Some asked for classroom reading rugs, teaching easels, books, foreign language tools and tablets.

“U.S. Cellular is proud to support and salute teachers’ efforts to ensure every student has a meaningful learning experience,” said Nathan Waddell, senior director of sales for U.S. Cellular’s Northwest market.

This story was originally published November 6, 2014 at 1:40 PM with the headline "Kennewick teacher earns money from U.S. Cellular."