Hunt Club Teacher Gets What She Gives With National Honor

For Polly Cullen, Tuesday was no ordinary day at work.

The art teacher at got quite a shock at about 10 a.m. when representatives from OfficeMax surprised Cullen with $1,000 in school supplies as part of the company’s A Day Made Better program. Cullen received the honor and supplies before a cheering assembly of the entire school.

“I was so surprised and touched as you can probably tell by the tears streaming down my face,” the nine-year veteran said.

Hunt Club Principal Phillip Murray nominated Cullen for her numerous contributions to the school community, including volunteering her time to lead students in benefits for , Kendall County Food Pantry, Mooseheart, Feed My Starving Children, Japan Relief Project and many others.

Cullen also created and leads the school’s Caring Hearts program that operates in conjunction with the Hunt Club Home and School Association to assist Hunt Club families in need.

“Polly has had a tough year personally,” Murray wrote in his nomination letter. “This did not diminish her passion to help others!”

Founded by OfficeMax and Adopt-A-Classroom, A Day Made Better is an annual program that seeks to reward and recognize extraordinary teachers for their hard work in the classroom and encourage support for educators across the country, according to a news release from OfficeMax announcing the honor.

Cullen was one of about 40 teachers in Illinois to receive the honor.

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