The Meemic Foundation Celebrates National Teacher Day, Commemorative Poster Features Veteran Teacher

DETROIT, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is National Teacher Day, a day that honors teachers and the critical role they play in ensuring that students receive a quality education.  The Meemic Foundation for the Future of Education, a non-profit organization created by Meemic Insurance Company, offers support to schools and educators in Michigan and Wisconsin in the form of grants and other celebratory items.  One of the more popular items is the Meemic Educators Appreciation Series of posters that is presented as a gift to every school each year on this date.  This year's poster, the eighth in the series, features Lewis C. Smith III, an Elementary School teacher. 

"There are very few other professions in a community that have the kind of impact that a teacher does," said Pamela Harlin, Director of The Meemic Foundation.  "National Teacher Day offers us a chance to honor the educators among us for their efforts and recognize outstanding educators that look for innovative and exciting ways to engage students and instill in them a life-long love of learning."

Lewis C. Smith III is a 16 year veteran of Romulus Community Schools where he currently teaches 5th grade at Romulus Elementary.  He was runner up for the 2010 Michigan Teacher of the Year, was named the 2009 Wayne County RESA Elementary Teacher of the year, and Technology Innovator Teacher for Learning.com 2010-2011. Smith was the grant coordinator for the 3 year implementation of the Comprehensive School Reform Grant from 2002-2005 and the Technology Mentor teacher trainer for Romulus in 2001.

Smith is also a Sergeant serving as a reservist with the Combat Engineers of MWSS 471 Detachment Bravo at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base since August of 2001.  During his time as a Marine he has supported the Young Marines, served as Adjutant in the Marine Corps League, collected for the Toys for Tots program, and provided guidance on flag etiquette for his local Cub Scout troop in Trenton, Michigan.

Smith attended Eastern Michigan University, where he earned his BA in Elementary Education, University of Phoenix, where he earned an MA in Curriculum Design, and Full Sail University, where he earned an MS in Educational Media, Technology, and Web Design.  When he is not teaching or defending his country, he can be found coaching his daughter's soccer team or helping his son restore his 1966 Chevrolet Corvair.

"Lewis is a great teacher, but more than that, like so many other great educators we work with every day, he is also an integral part of his community," said Harlin.  "Educators like Lewis who are always looking for new and creative ways to inspire their students are why the Meemic Foundation exists.  We want to make sure that these remarkable individuals have the financial means necessary to provide students with an exciting educational experience. By reading Lewis' story at www.MeemicFoundation.com/Romulus, you will gain insight into his passion and drive that is present in all of our outstanding educators.  We are honored to know and have teachers like Lewis educating our youth."

The Meemic Foundation offers several grant opportunities throughout the year.  To submit an application, educators can simply visit www.MeemicFoundation.com and complete an online form outlining their request.  Applications are reviewed using a variety of criteria that are described on the website. 

About The Meemic Foundation
The Meemic Foundation for the Future of Education http://www.MeemicFoundation.com was created by Meemic Insurance Company in 1992. As a non-profit organization, the Foundation is dedicated to advancing the future of education by offering financial assistance to schools and educators. Over the years we have had the pleasure of providing funding to some of the most creative and passionate teachers in the world. Their stories inspire us to continue funding projects that affect a large number of students and support the educational communities that we proudly serve.

SOURCE The Meemic Foundation