Juanita Flores Mejia has the same dynamic energy her kindergarten students do and it's that enthusiasm that makes her such an important part of the Grant Elementary School community. Along with her teaching responsibilities, Juanita also leads the student council, drama club, family math nights and Spirit Week as well as the school's field trips. This has not gone unnoticed by her students, their parents or her colleagues; one of them her own husband who is also a teacher at Grant Elementary School and nominated her for Jones New York In The Classroom's Back To School, Back To Style contest.

Juanita enjoyed her own day of pampering, first at a top salon for cut and color, then to Macy's at Union Square for the ultimate Jones New York shopping spree! In the meantime, volunteers were hard at work transforming her kindergarten class into a fun and creative learning environment for Juanita and her students. Walls were given a fresh coat of paint in "Sunglow", cloud and tree murals were scattered along classroom walls, new teacher's desk and chair, and new "Science", "Art" and "Reading" areas were created stocked with tables, chairs, and supplies dedicated to those subjects. The entire teaching faculty received their own makeover in the teacher's lounge featuring newly painted walls in shades of "Gentle Pasture" and "Lyndhurst Spring Eve", furniture including tables and chair sets, along with arm chairs, a couch and coffee table to form a comfortable seating area. A multitude of new appliances including a refrigerator, microwaves, coffee makers, toaster oven completed the makeover.

Juanita arrived to find her new classroom and teacher's lounge transformed to a truly inviting and warm place for students and teachers alike.

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