Teacher is finalist in contest, public can vote online until Jan. 31

Fifth-grade science and social studies teacher Danielle Ortiz of Bethlehem Elementary School in Taylorsville is one of 12 finalists in a national classroom furniture giveaway from furniture maker KI.
Mrs. Ortiz was selected from hundreds of teachers who submitted designs for their dream classroom. Four winners will each be awarded $40,000-worth of furniture to bring their visions to life.

The contest now goes to a public vote, with Mrs. Ortiz hoping to beat out two other finalists in her geographic region. The poll is open now through Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at www.ki.com/designtowin. Winners will be announced Friday, February 2.

 Mrs. Ortiz designed a versatile space where kids could easily switch between different activities, from programming robots to drawing water cycles, and provide private nooks for kids with anxiety or attention challenges. With the abrupt closure of Alexander County’s second-largest employer, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Mrs. Ortiz hopes to support a student population that is increasingly facing economic hardship.

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