A permanent tribute to honor outstanding educators will take a step closer to reality when the first 300 commemorative bricks bearing the names of honorees will be installed on Friday, Aug. 25, on the new Teachers’ Honor Wall at California State University, Fresno.
The installation will kick off a multi-agency campaign to sell another 1,700 bricks that would complete the wall, which is located in the new Gottschalks Plaza in front of the Education Building at Shaw and Maple.
Dr. Robert Monke, associate dean of the School of Education and Human Development, said the school’s project, which would raise funds for computer and related communication equipment for the school, has received special support from marketing personnel representing the Fresno County Office of Education, Educational Employees Credit Union, Gottschalks and The Fresno Bee.
Their marketing teams will help the university reach out to donors and interest them in buying bricks to honor educators, said Monke. Individuals wishing to honor a favorite teacher, coach or mentor can donate $100 for a brick engraved with the honoree’s name.
The bricks will be placed on the 76-foot by four-foot structure, which can hold 2,000 bricks. The other side of the wall will honor Friends of Education — persons other than teachers who also provided inspiration to succeed in education, or who somehow made a difference in the life of the donor.
The Fresno County Office of Education purchased bricks for 20 educators who have received the prestigious Fresno County Teacher of the Year Award since 1980.
For information about purchasing a brick to honor a teacher or friend of education, contact Monke at (559) 278-0205.
