Kristen Bell has been named Cybersmiler of the Month for helping school teachers in need

Frozen 2 actress Kristen Bell has been awarded Cybersmiles “Cybersmile of the Month” award for November.

Our friends over at Cybersmile have given her the award for all the work she’s been doing to help school teachers in need.

Kristen used her huge platform and following on Instagram to help out school teachers in need.

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Oh yes it’s #FeaturedTeacherFriday ?and I’d like you to meet Elizabeth Guiles. Her email to me was so heartfelt and she had me at “pantry.” “I teach English at Stokes Early College High School in Walnut Cove, NC. (I also teach ACT Prep, run our Teacher Cadet program and serve as the senior adviser for our graduates!) This year is my sixth year teaching here in the rural town I grew up in. We are a public school, but students have to go through an application process because students wrap up their senior year graduating with a high school diploma AND an Associates degree. It makes a huge difference for our community because most of our students would never be able to afford to attend college. My students WANT to be here and choose to invest in their future even at their young age, and that is admirable to me. It’s a rigorous and intensive program, but we’ve had enormous success. Our first graduating class was in 2013, and since then our graduating classes have earned over $18.9 million dollars in scholarship offers. We have been able to do a lot with very little, as most educators do every single day. My wish list is comprised of general school supplies and basic items because the essentials are what is needed most in this impoverished area. A of couple years ago, I was inspired to start a student pantry where students could get breakfast or lunch or a snack, whether they had just forgotten or didn't have access to food at home. It has grown into a student clothing and toiletry closet, and this really helps our students who cannot afford new clothes and end up wearing threadbare items to school. Our school is in trailer units, so everything is very drab. I cannot tell you how grateful I am just to have the opportunity to ask for this!” Giving kids a head start while making sure they have their basic needs covered is AMAZING. If you feel inspired to help Elizabeth’s classroom and kids, her wishlist will be in my bio!

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Using the #FeatureTeacherFriday hashtag each Friday. Kristen has been featuring school teachers on her Instagram account who desperately need supplies and provisions for their students. Often from disadvantaged areas, the items needed frequently include basics such as notebooks and pens.

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Yes! It’s #FeaturedTeacherFriday ?and I love love LOVE this teacher. Jael Zeballos is a teacher in Northern Virginia. Here’s her story: “I’m an ESOL teacher at Falls Church High School, in Northern Virginia. I teach newly arrived immigrants, largely from Central America. Many of them have come alone to seek a better life in the US. They are eager to learn English and get ahead in life. Most of my students come from impoverished backgrounds, and/or have experienced severe trauma on their journey here. These kids are resilient, brave, funny, charming, but, above all, normal teenagers like any other. They dream the same dreams and hope the same hopes that all of us do. In this current climate, I want to make sure that their stories are not forgotten, even if it's only to an audience of teachers like me and their peers. We are witnesses to their experiences, and I want to make sure that during this period that I am privileged to teach them, I do as much as I can to make their time in this country a good one. We have an incredibly supportive community at this school, from the administrators, teachers, custodians, everyone. We have one of the most diverse populations of students in our county, and I couldn't imagine working anyplace better! The budget for school supplies, unfortunately, is very limited as it has to be spread out among thousands of students and classrooms, and everything on my Amazon Wishlist will be put to the best use. All items will directly impact the English learning of my current students, as well future ones in the years to come.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!” I’d love to support Jael’s students and classroom so her wishlist will be in my bio. Thank you to everyone who reads about these amazing teachers and feels inspired to help. We’re all in this together! ?

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The Friday feature allows guest teachers to post a wish list on Kristen’s Instagram account which Kristen’s followers can personally respond to by amplifying the call for help on their social channels or by donating themselves. 

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For today’s #FeaturedTeacherFriday ??????? meet Sarah Sims! Her students are deaf and hard of hearing and she buys most of her school supplies herself. This is teacher who goes above and beyond for her students and her wishlist will be in my bio if you are inspired to help her out! Here’s her story… “I teach at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD) in Clarkston, Georgia. This is my 10th year teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students, and my 8th year at AASD. Students at our school use American Sign Language (ASL) and English to communicate. We are a Title 1 school that serves students ages 3 to 21 years from over 30 counties in the greater Atlanta Area. Many of our students don’t have the opportunity to easily communicate with their families at home. Without access to ASL at home students miss out on so many social opportunities. Our staff and teachers dedicate our lives to helping ensure that all students have as many language rich opportunities and experiences as possible; both academic and social. I teach elementary school, grades 3-5. Many of my students have additional disabilities and learn best through hands on, real life experiences. In order to obtain the school supplies my students need, I need to buy most of them myself. Not only do these supplies help my students access the curriculum, it also allows them to develop confidence in themselves. I strive to give my students opportunities and I want to give them the tools and language they need to communicate their feelings and ideas. I’m also trying to teach my students how to advocate for themselves. My students are curious, creative, and most importantly- capable! Thank you for supporting the needs of my wonderful students!” ???????

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This is the second time that Cybersmile has awarded Kristen the Cybersmiler of the month award. Back in 2017, Kristen was awarded for helping the victims of hurricane Irma. 

You can find out more about the work Cybersmile does to help and educate young people on cyberbullying via the website!

Written by Kelly McFarland

Likes to post in black and white on Instagram. Avid Tea drinker, preferably Yorkshire Tea or Lipton Iced Tea and lover of Pop Culture. Contact: [email protected]