Celebrating Educators Across Our Communities
Surf Bar supplies a healthier lunch to teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week:
Across our nine communities, we’re honored to be supporting 20 local schools in a variety of meaningful ways this May. With patience, creativity, and unwavering dedication, educators show up for their students every single day. During Teacher Appreciation Week, we’re grateful for the opportunity to support our local schools and say thank you. At the heart of it all are educators who show up, give their all, and change lives every day. We believe schools thrive because of the individuals who pour into them, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to recognize and uplift those efforts.
Educator Spotlight: Serena Neely, Teacher of the Year Finalist
We’re especially proud to celebrate Serena, a State Teacher of the Year finalist, who also happens to call us one of her favorite local spots.
Mrs. Neely teaches first grade at Will Rogers Elementary, where her impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Her journey into education is one marked by resilience and purpose! She overcame significant challenges, returned to college as a mother of two, and went on to earn both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Today, she and her husband are raising eight children, while she continues to pour her energy into her students and school community. From running the afterschool program to bringing creativity, structure, and joy into everyday learning, Serena goes above and beyond in every sense of the word.
When asked about her calling to education, Serena shared:
“I got into the education field for the love of my children…and convenience. I quickly learned that education isn’t convenient at all. Education is urgent. I live and breathe education for the love of all children: mine, yours, and future generations yet to be impacted by encounters, big or small. I used to think that I happened upon my career in education. I now know that it was a calling.”
Her words reflect exactly why educators like Serena matter so deeply, not just to their students, but to the future of our communities.
Our Why
Stories like Serena’s are at the heart of why we care so deeply about supporting our local schools. They remind us of the impact teachers have every single day, and the importance of showing up for them in return. These moments give us a chance to connect with our communities, create meaningful experiences, and express genuine gratitude. We’re truly honored to play even a small part in celebrating them this Teacher Appreciation Week.
If you would like to gift Surf Bar to a teacher or education staff this May, please get in contact with us through our catering form.