Hopkins Co. teacher wins Del Monte contest | Health

South Hopkins Middle School teacher Brian Fulkerson is a winner in the 2nd Annual Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms online contest sponsored by Del Monte Fresh Produce North America Inc.

Fulkerson won $750 in cash and $250 in fresh Del Monte fruit for his classroom by writing an essay about how he would incorporate healthy eating messages into classroom lesson plans and collecting online votes.

As a result of SHMS winning, Del Monte also gave $1,000 to Carcer Elementary School in the Philippines for classroom books and a computer set, Fulkerson said.

The program is intended to help get schoolchildren to make healthier eating choices. It rewards kindergarten through 12th grade teachers with cash to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit for classroom snacks. For more information on the program, visit www.fruits.com.

Here is Fulkerson’s essay:

"Extended school activities can be a trying time for students. Our boys and girls require energy to go the distance. I would like to set an example for our young ambitious minds that fresh fruit is the best choice for classroom activities that go beyond normal school hours. I plan to offer fruit to my students when I direct after school activities. I intend to do this once a week and when I offer this fruit of the week I would like to give coloring pencils and index cards to each of my students. On one card they will draw the characteristics of the fruit and on the other they will research and list important facts about the fruit. I will post the cards on our hallway walls so that everyone can look and read about the delightful food we eat. I believe that if we want our children to develop healthy eating habits then we need to provide opportunities for them to do so."