Photo courtesy of Natalie Hebert
Earlier this month, “I Feel Pretty” and “Freaks and Geeks” actress Busy Phillipps asked her 1.2 million Instagram followers for ten teachers to feature so her fans would purchase items on the teacher’s Amazon Wishlist, and she chose Geneva Heights IB World School’s art teacher Natalie Hebert.
Grizzly Bear musician Ed Droste created the #10FeaturedTeachers hashtag, and Phillipps jumped on the format, posting a picture and message about Hebert, including her message describing the challenges and hopes for her classroom.
On Friday, Sept. 14, Phillips shared her post about Hebert, and left the link to her wishlist on her Instagram for 24 hours. In that short time frame, Phillipps’ followers purchased over $8,000 in supplies for the Geneva Heights art teacher. This week, over 150 Amazon boxes arrived at the East Dallas school, and Hebert is expecting more to arrive all week.
“I never anticipated there would be so many donations! It was surreal watching it all happen,” she wrote. “Every time I refreshed my wishlist something was gone, meaning something had been purchased. I had no idea who was buying the items. They were complete strangers who clearly believe that art education is important. I am so thankful for Busy Phillips. By simply posting my Amazon Wishlist, she has impacted hundreds of current and future Geneva Heights students and their art experience. Every supplies I have ever wanted my students to have access to, they now do. The supplies will last for years to come. The students are seeing all of the boxes being delivered and I love being able to tell them that people all over the country have donated supplies for them and their art room! It makes them, and me, feel inspired.”
