Sharing Our Bengal Pride: Idaho State University Continues to Make P-12 Classrooms ROAR

This initiative, sponsored by the ISU College of Education, ISU Alumni Association, ISU Graduate School, and ISU Admissions Office, invited teachers, coaches, support staff, principals, and superintendents to sign up and receive Bengal-themed decorations at no cost, helping them showcase their Bengal pride.

This year’s Make Your Classroom ROAR packages included free ISU booklets, flags, stickers, lanyards, pennants, pens, pom-poms, sticky notes, and a custom Benny the Bengal stuffed animal. All educators, including those who are not ISU alumni, were invited to sign up in the summer.

“The ISU Alumni Association is thrilled to partner with the ISU College of Education to help spread Bengal pride and support educators as they make a lasting impact in classrooms across the state and nation,” said Amy Dressel, Interim Alumni Director. "We are incredibly proud of our Bengal teachers—they are transforming lives every day! From inspiring curiosity to shaping young minds, they lay the foundation for our children’s future success.”

Dasani Gibson, a teacher at Hawthorne Middle School in Pocatello and a College of Education alumna, was among the educators that received a Make Your Classroom ROAR package delivered by ISU representatives. As she noted, “It was very special to see the professors and staff from the College of Education who supported me throughout my academic career standing in the same room as a group of my students. This gift was sort of a past/present/future image all in one and a reminder of the support I have as ISU alumni.”

Since 2022, over 750 educators have participated in Make Your Classroom ROAR, showcasing their Bengal pride. In addition to the free ISU gear, the ISU College of Education challenged participants to share photos of their spaces on social media with the displayed Make Your Classroom Roar gear for a chance to win one of two $250 gift cards for their classrooms. Representatives also met with district leadership and hand delivered packages to educators within the Pocatello, Chubbuck, Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, and American Falls school districts. 

“I am grateful to the 250 educators who embraced Bengal pride through the Make Your Classroom ROAR campaign, creating an inspiring learning environment that not only strengthened ties with Idaho State University but also ignited excitement among students across Idaho and beyond,” said College of Education Interim Dean, Dr. Esther Ntuli. “This fun and collaborative project not only showcased the University’s vibrant spirit but also aimed to encourage P-12 students to envision their future at ISU. We look forward to continuing this impactful initiative in 2025 and further supporting educators in their crucial role.”

ISU Director of Recruitment and Admissions, Nicole Joseph, also added, “I am so thankful to partner with our friends in the College of Education on this initiative. I love seeing classrooms filled with Bengal spirit and our alums feeling the love.”

Through continued collaboration across ISU, the College of Education plans to extend the Make Your Classroom ROAR campaign into Spring 2025 with the goal of delivering an additional 250 boxes. To learn more about Make Your Classroom ROAR and sign up, please email the College of Education Marketing Office at coemarketing@isu.edu.