CELOUBRATE
TEACHERS
Thank you for celebrating teachers!
For 55 years, Lou Malnati’s has been proud to serve and support the communities we call home. Every year during Teacher Appreciation Week, we continue our tradition of giving back by ce-lou-brating the educators who make a difference every day. Learn how some teachers made a lasting impact on their communities in 2026.
✶ Grand Prize Winner ✶
Mandy Payne from Lundahl Middle School in Lakewood, IL
“Some teachers are more than just teachers; they are lifelines for a family. Mandy Payne is that teacher at Lundahl. As a therapist in the community, I have worked with several tweens and families who have stated time and again that the reason that they can make it to school every day and not go down self-destructive paths is because they know that Mrs. Payne is there to support them, listen to them, and help them problem solve- not the math equations that Mrs. Payne teaches in her class- but the social intricacies of being in middle school.”
✶ Additional Winners ✶
Jennifer Serna from Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois
“She has helped me learn Spanish to a level that I have never been at before. Additionally, she has also helped me get extra tutoring when I needed help with subjects that I didn’t understand very well.”
Matt Ryan from Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Illinois
“Matt Ryan became director of our program three years ago. He has been teaching at Lincoln-Way, and his roots are there in Special Education. The Transition Program was growing so much that they needed a director, and he was chosen for that job, along with doing his teaching responsibilities. I think we all impact and inspire each other as a whole program when you work with kids with disabilities each day. Matt has made an impact in the community as he arranges many vocational sites we work in each day of the week in the community. We lend our hand in working with the kids out in the community to learn life skills and so much more each day. I think our program and Matt deserve this reward from Lou’s because Matt always says we have the best program and work in the best department at Lincoln-Way. I can’t agree more, as all 3 high school kids come to us upon graduation. I love where I work each day, and director Matt has played a huge role in that.”
Work with Lou’s to Raise Some Dough for Your Organization!
Host a fundraiser at Lou Malnati’s or sell frozen pizza coupons and keep the profits. Proof of your non-profit status is required. Find out which program is best for your organization at our fundraising page below, or contact [email protected] to learn more.