Television crew surprises Walnut Glen Academy teacher

Mar. 24, 2015

Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence teacher Andrea Hardgrave received the surprise of a lifetime last month. Television personality Paige McCoy Smith interrupted her fifth-grade class with a camera crew in tow.

“We are so excited because you have won the Teacher of the Month award,” Smith announced after walking in the door.

Every month, WFAA-TV’s Good Morning Texas partners with City Credit Union to bestow this honor. As part of the surprise, City CU’s President and CEO Sharon Moore gifts the winner a goodie basket, which includes a $100 gift card, classroom supplies and tickets to Six Flags.

Hardgrave’s coworker Julia Lepek nominated her for the Teacher of the Month title.

“She goes above and beyond for our school,” commented Lepek. “At Christmastime, she organized a fundraiser called Slumber Party with the Elves. Students got to bring stuffed animals and have them spend the night on campus. Overnight, elves took the animals to the North Pole and students received a picture from their trip in the morning.”

To view the Feb. 27 Good Morning Texas segment, visit WFAA’s website.

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