By Rebecca Rider

rebecca.rider@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan Partners for Education is offering a new way for communities to show their love and appreciation for teachers.

The local nonprofit agency, which provides support to county schools and classrooms, plans to host a “Love Your Teacher” dinner during Teacher Appreciation Week.

While the dinner itself isn’t until May 10, now is the time for students and community partners to get involved.

According to Susan Steele, co-founder and co-chairwoman of Rowan Partners for Education, the idea is for local businesses to sponsor tables for teachers.

“We’re excited because it shows community support from Rowan-Salisbury Schools,” Steele said.

To prevent the possibility of some schools being left out, the organization is collecting sponsorships by area. Businesses based in east, west, north or south Rowan County or Salisbury could step up to sponsor a table for that geographic area. The goal is to get as many sponsorships — and, therefore, tables — as there are schools.

But Steele said she’d love to have more than that.

“Our hope is that we have more sponsors than we have schools. That’s our hope, is that this is really affirming to our schools,” she said.

The dinner’s presenting sponsor is Novant Health, and the evening’s meal will be sponsored by F&M.

But how do teachers fit into this?

In the coming weeks, students will have the chance to nominate their favorite teacher for the dinner by creating a 30-second video about why they love their teacher.

“So they’re going to do a … video clip talking about their teachers and why they’re important to them,” Steele said.

Using the videos, organizers will choose two teachers from each school. The school’s administrator and each table’s sponsor will also attend.

“We wanted to have a fundraiser that was also an event to celebrate teachers,” Steele said.

Money raised will go to support Rowan Partners for Education’s mini-grant program, as well as some of the agency’s other district-level projects, such as sending teachers to state conferences and professional development.

“If there’s a need in Rowan-Salisbury Schools across the board, we can help with everyone,” Steele said.

Anyone interested in sponsoring a table or seat for the dinner should send an email to info@rowanchamber.com, attention Tracy Walser.

Sponsorships for a seat are $50; for a table, $500; and for an entire area, $2,500.

Contact reporter Rebecca Rider at 704-797-4264.