Merrill Teachers Get "Oprah's Favorite Things"
Save Email Print
Updated: 2:49 PM Nov 24, 2004
Merrill Teachers Get "Oprah's Favorite Things"
If you caught Monday's episode of "Oprah", you saw her give away thousands of dollars in items to teachers in her annual "Favorite Things" show. Two of those lucky recipients teach in our area.
Posted: 10:27 PM Nov 23, 2004
Reporter: Amanda Lutz
Font Size:

Prairie River Middle School teachers Michelle Jahnke and Jen Wagner were excited when they were asked be in Oprah's studio audience for a show dedicated to their profession.

But they never expected what occurred next to ever happen...the set was transformed into a Christmas scene, people dressed in elf costumes moved hundreds of presents onto the stage, and Oprah revealed that on this episode, she would give away some of her "favorite things".

"The screaming of all the teachers was unbelievable because we really thought we were there to talk about education, so it was a shock for us all," says Jahnke.

All the teachers in the studio audience were the lucky recipients of "Oprah's Favorite Things.” They included a flat screen TV, designer clothing and a $500 gift certificate to Office Max for school supplies.

"It really did bring tears to your eyes because you can only imagine what's gonna come up next and to be there with all these teachers was an amazing feeling," says Wagner.

And teachers are what inspired Oprah to continue her "Favorite Things" show. After her infamous car giveaway this fall, she reportedly considered not doing the segment, but a producer suggested she do it for an audience of teachers.

Michelle and Jen say they're thankful for Oprah's support of their profession.

"Just to be recognized on national TV, as she called it, a "Profession of Honor". She's so supportive of teachers and we really appreciate that. It was really neat to be there," Jahnke says.

And the grand total for all those items came to a whopping $25,000, including the gift tax picked up by Oprah.

Michelle and Jen say they were able to take some of the gifts home right away. They'll receive the others in the coming weeks.

AP Online Video
Stocks
QUOTES
    Symbol Lookup
WSAW NewsChannel 7 on Facebook