(l-r) Cockrill Middle School Principal Dr. Amber Epperson, MISD Partners in Education Specialist Nancy Cowlishaw, El Dorado Sales Manager Rusty McDonald, El Dorado Internet Sales Specialist Alfred Wagner (holding El Dorado’s 2019 MISD Top 10 Business Partner award), 2019 MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Alisha Jonker and MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel

McKinney, Texas – There are few things that make cruising into summer sweeter than doing so behind the wheel of a shiny new car.

And, for the past six years, El Dorado Chevrolet and Mazda in McKinney have been helping McKinney ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year maximize the fun of zipping off into the summer sunshine by giving each of them a new car to drive for a year—free of charge.

2019 is no different, and on Tuesday, May 28, Cockrill Middle School’s Alisha Jonker, the MISD 2019 Secondary Teacher of the Year, picked up a brand new, red 2018 Chevy Malibu at El Dorado. Minshew Elementary’s Marlana Dumas, the MISD 2019 Elementary Teacher of the Year, opted not to participate in the program.

El Dorado Internet Sales Specialist Alfred Wagner presents the key fob to a new Chevy Malibu to MISD 2019 Secondary Teacher of the Year Alisha Jonker.

“[Of] all the different things we try to do, we are most proud that we are able to help our school district in any way we can,” said El Dorado General Sales Manager Jas Gill. “So, we came up with this idea to provide two cars for the two Teachers of the Year—secondary and [elementary]—and that way, we can help the teachers who help our kids the most. And, [teaching is] probably the most noble work anybody does for society. We feel very fortunate to be a part of McKinney ISD.”

El Dorado has a been a longtime supporter of the district and was named one of the district’s 2019 Top 10 Business Partners earlier in May. In addition to the ongoing Teacher of the Year car program, they have also donated used cars for Project Graduation giveaways and in 2011 donated a new one-ton pickup for the district’s FFA students to transport livestock projects to and from shows. They also promote the district through billboard advertisements, sponsor various MISD programs and sponsor the KLAK Teacher of the Month program—which frequently features MISD teachers.

2019 MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Alisha Jonker from Cockrill Middle School sits behind the wheel of a new Chevy Malibu at El Dorado Chevrolet in McKinney.

This year, Jonker will get the opportunity to drive not just one car but six. Approximately every two months, she will return her vehicle and make a new pick.

“It is pretty awesome to get to test out so many different vehicles throughout this next year,” said Jonker. “I get to start off with a gorgeous 2018 red Malibu, complete with safety features. I’ve never had a vehicle with a back up camera, let alone blind spot alerts. I feel spoiled already, and the program has just begun. Throughout the year, I will get to try out at least six different types of vehicles.

“I am so appreciative of El Dorado Chevrolet’s partnership with McKinney ISD,” added Jonker. “Their support of MISD’s students and teachers means so much!”

Now, with the 2018–2019 school year officially in the books, Jonker behind the wheel of a brand new Chevy and summer in full swing, there’s nothing left to do…but hit the road.

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