As part of teacher appreciation initiative

Arvest Bank is pleased to announce Gentrie McCullers of Muldrow Public Schools and Dennis Lee of Gans Public Schools, each received a $500 award through the bank’s annual “We Love Teachers” initiative.

McCullers and Lee were two of 144 teachers at K-12 public statefunded schools throughout the bank’s four-state footprint to receive the award. Recipients were selected by partnering with schools’ administrations based on classroom needs. “As a communityfocused bank, we recognize the important role teachers play in shaping our communities,” said Jennifer Caldwell, Arvest Community Marketing Manager. “They not only teach our future generation the educational curriculum they need to excel at the next level but also the fundamental life skills that allow them to become future leaders in their communities. We hope these gifts will help Gentrie and Dennis in creating an environment full of learning and growth.”

The bank’s “We Love Teachers” initiative aims to help teachers with the purchase of school supplies. According to a 2023 Teacher Spending Survey released by AdoptAClassroom. org, teachers reported spending an average of $800 out of their own pockets for classroom supplies.

Since 2016, Arvest has donated $468,500 to local teachers throughout Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas.