A Season of Giving: Make Your Classroom ROAR Campaign Gifts Bengal Pride to 300 Educators

Colorful pennants, striking posters, Benny the Bengal and a whole lot of school spirit—Idaho State University College of Education’s Make Your Classroom ROAR campaign turned P-12 classrooms into vibrant Bengal wonderlands for 300 educators across the state this December.

In collaboration with the ISU Alumni Association, Graduate School, College of Arts and Letters, and College of Technology, the initiative invited educators across Idaho to sign up for a complimentary gift bag filled with ISU swag to decorate their classrooms or office spaces. This year’s packages featured items generously donated by partner colleges and units, alongside College of Education swag, including stickers, pins, window clings, booklets, pens, posters, pennants, shirts and a stuffed Benny the Bengal.

“For students in P–12 classrooms, the colleges and universities they come to know are often the ones they see every day,” said Interim Dean of the College of Education, Esther Ntuli. “When ISU banners hang on classroom walls, when Benny the Bengal sits on a shelf, and when Bengal pride becomes part of the learning environment, we are planting seeds of possibility. Make Your Classroom ROAR is about more than school spirit—it is about igniting awareness, aspiration and belonging at an early age. If we want young learners to imagine themselves at Idaho State University one day, ISU must be visible, vibrant and memorable in the spaces where learning begins.”

"Supporting our local educators—many of whom are proud ISU alumni—through the Make Your Classroom ROAR program is one of the most meaningful ways we can celebrate Bengal pride,” said Taylor Aguayo, assistant director of alumni engagement. “Our alumni are shaping the next generation of learners, and we’re honored to help bring a little ISU spirit into their classrooms.” 

Interim Dean of the Graduate School Tracy Collum, Ed.D, echoed that sentiment saying, “The Graduate School has been honored to participate in Make Your Classroom ROAR since its inception. We are inspired by the passion our alumni Bengals have for education and love supporting them as they share their Bengal pride in classrooms year after year.”

With the support of the College of Education’s Office of Field Experience, principals helped spread the word to faculty and staff, prompting an enthusiastic response for a race to fill an entry. Much to our amazement, all 300 spots were claimed in approximately four hours, proving the success and popularity of the campaign. 

Representatives from Idaho State and its satellite campuses hand-delivered gift bags to educators in the Pocatello, Chubbuck, Twin Falls, Buhl, Xavier Charter, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, and American Falls school districts, strengthening connections between the University and local schools with in-person meet and greets. The Pocatello/Chubbuck area had the most participants, with a total of 151, followed by Twin Falls with 74. 

“I was honored to take part in delivering the Make Your Classroom ROAR swag bags. Seeing the smiles and genuine appreciation from educators was incredibly rewarding,” said Amanda Eller, Ph.D., chair and clinical professor in the Department of Teaching and Educational Studies. Eller helped distribute packages in the Twin Falls area.

Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Advising, Eleise Ramos, delivered packages for the Idaho Falls area. “

At ISU–Idaho Falls, we’re proud to support our community right here at home. It was wonderful connecting with our local educators and sharing some ISU swag as a small token of our appreciation. We’re grateful for everything our educators do to inspire and support Idaho Falls students!”

Pocatello High School emerged as the school with the highest level of engagement, with 23 educators participating. The turnout reflected a strong sense of collaboration and enthusiasm among its staff.

“Pocatello High School’s connection with the ISU College of Education runs deep,” said Principal Heidi Graham. “Several of our educators began their journey at ISU, and being able to showcase that pride in their classrooms reminds students that great teaching starts with great teachers.”

Hawthorne Middle School followed closely behind with 22 participating educators.

“Thanks, ISU, and the College of Education, for supporting our teachers, staff and most of all our middle school learners,” said Hawthorne Middle School Principal Heidi Kessler. “We love working with ISU to plant as many seeds as possible in the minds of our learners that the possibilities are endless for what their future can hold.”

Through continued collaboration across ISU, the College of Education plans to continue growing the Make Your Classroom ROAR campaign and hopes to partner with more colleges and units across Idaho State University. To learn more about Make Your Classroom ROAR and how to sign up for the next campaign, please email the College of Education Marketing Office at coemarketing@isu.edu.