MT. VERNON, IL — Although we should appreciate our teachers every week, this national week of celebration is wrapping up and educators at Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 in a partnership with the Mt. Vernon Education Association (MVEA) have chosen to pay-it-forward.

The teachers and MVEA have decided to donate the food they typically receive as a ‘thank you’ during this week, to those working in local hospitals. Superintendent of District 80, Aletta Lawrence says it just goes to show you all that educators do for their communities.

Lawrence says the district is also working on a plan to safely honor their graduates this year with a celebration since the cancellation orders of all in-person ceremonies came down from the Illinois State Board of Education last week.