"Hundreds of Memphis City Schools teachers went straight from work Wednesday to a gala honoring them and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
While the city has known since Nov. 18 that the foundation is giving the district $90 million to improve teacher effectiveness, there had been no public celebration until Wednesday."
While the city has known since Nov. 18 that the foundation is giving the district $90 million to improve teacher effectiveness, there had been no public celebration until Wednesday."
t all poured loose at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, with teachers, philanthropists, parents and business people waving pompoms as the Whitehaven High marching band rocked the auditorium and the city's collective decorum.
"Santa just arrived via the Gates Foundation express," emcee Joe Birch shouted. "You look like a million bucks, ninety times over," he said while spotlights fanned over the crowd dressed in holiday sparkles and finery. "Doesn't it feel good to feel good?"