McDonald’s has honored an ‘Outstanding Educator’ from Poplar Bluff for the fifth year in a row since the inception of the restaurant’s regional awards program.

Interventionist Teresa Webb of Eugene Field Elementary, whose tenure at Poplar Bluff Schools spans two decades, was awarded a $100 gift card from company executives on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to use toward classroom resources such as a phonics poster set from the Wilson Foundation, she said.

“We received over 400 nominations from local community members, parents and fellow educators who told us what makes their favorite teachers the best in the bunch, and you rose to the top as one of the most outstanding educators in our area,” McDonald’s spokesperson Amanda Campbell stated in an award letter. “Your good deeds and remarkable work with the youth in our community truly make you an Outstanding Educator!”

McDonald’s solicited submissions from its Poplar Bluff social media accounts up until September. Webb’s surprise nomination came from one of her daughters at college, Campbell revealed.

“This educator constantly goes above and beyond to provide for her kids,” wrote Lauren from Arkansas State University. “She spends countless hours after school working in her classroom, creating and grading students’ assignments. This educator [has spent] their whole life trying to make a difference in children’s lives.”

When McDonald’s announced the winners last week via Facebook, Eugene Field Principal Kristen Spain replied to the post, stating that Webb is “as humble as they come,” but the elementary school is glad that her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“Thank you McDonald’s for taking time to come celebrate and recognize one of the very best educators in our entire district,” Spain wrote on behalf of the building. “Teresa Webb stops at nothing when it comes to meeting student needs.”

Because of the connection established as the result of the recognition, McDonald's agreed to further underwrite Eugene Field’s Student of the Month program, confirmed Director of Operations Cheryl Farrow. The restaurant’s north location presently sponsors O’Neal, but officials were looking to forge a partnership at their location on the south side of town as well, she noted. Talks are also underway to supply additional Happy Meal toys to incentivize Eugene Field’s reading program through i-Ready.

West Plains native Andi Hilburn-Vaini owns 27 franchises throughout the region within the fast-food chain, including the two Poplar Bluff McDonald's locations. This year, she decided to award a top educator from each of the communities, reflecting her continued support for the profession.

Since the recognition program launched in 2020, Poplar Bluff Schools has had an awardee annually, including: Crystal Huddleston of PBHS last year; both Ashley Blume of Oak Grove and Lake Road’s Teresa Hefner in 2022; Aleanna Moore of the Middle School in 2021; and Amy Ethridge of O’Neal during the inaugural rollout.

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Cutline: (Left to right) McDonald’s Director of Operations Cheryl Farrow and Area Supervisor Tony Seabaugh present the Outstanding Educator award to Teresa Webb, Eugene Field teacher, accompanied by Principal Kristen Spain, on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the elementary school.