By Cindy Peterson
Sorrento Elementary Teacher Wins Dream Classroom Makeover
Morgan Hebner, a fifth-grade math and science teacher at Sorrento Elementary School, was surprised with a dream classroom makeover on Wednesday, thanks to Addition Financial Credit Union’s sixth annual Renovate to Educate Contest. The contest provided four Central Florida teachers with a $3,500 makeover to transform their classrooms into vibrant, inspiring learning environments.
Ms. Hebner’s essay, which won her the makeover, highlighted the need to replace her classroom’s dull brown tones with more engaging colors.
“Brown is not the color that inspires great learners to become engineers, artists, and astronauts,” she wrote, envisioning a space filled with aquamarines, lilacs, peaches, and whites. The makeover aimed to create a bright, modern-style classroom that would welcome students with open arms without overwhelming them.
The transformation of her classroom was revealed in the presence of school district officials and Addition Financial representatives. Upon entering her newly renovated space, Ms. Hebner expressed her excitement and gratitude.
“I am so overwhelmed with joy,” she said. “I love everything that Addition has helped create here, and I think it is going to be a great space to welcome my students. This is our second home here, basically, in our classroom, and the fact that it looks like this—the students are going to love it.”
The makeover process involved collaboration between Addition Financial and Seminole State College’s Interior Design program, where paid interns worked closely with each winning teacher to design the new classroom layout. Over 20 volunteers from Addition Financial then painted and assembled furniture, bringing the teachers’ visions to life.
“Teachers founded Addition Financial nearly 90 years ago, so giving back to education and our community will always be essential to what we do,” Kevin Miller, President and CEO of Addition Financial Credit Union, says. “These renovations not only lift up teachers and students this year, but also can be appreciated by the students and other teachers who might use the classrooms going forward. Addition Financial is proud to make this kind of lasting impact through our Renovate to Educate program.”
Three other teachers from Orange, Seminole, and Osceola counties also received classroom makeovers, transforming their spaces into inspiring and engaging environments for their students.
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
