Niagara Falls Educator Receives $15,000 and Supply of Tissues for Special Education Work

Britini D'Angelo, a special education teacher at Henry J. Kalfas Elementary School in Niagara Falls, New York, received $15,000 in total funding from Kleenex on Tuesday. The organization named her its 2026 National Hero of the Classroom, a distinction that includes a direct cash award and a donation to her workplace.

The contest awarded D'Angelo $10,000 for personal use and a separate $5,000 donation for the school. In addition to the monetary prizes, the brand provided a year's supply of tissues for the entire building. D'Angelo reported receiving approximately 15 boxes in the initial delivery, with additional shipments expected every two to four weeks.

D'Angelo has taught at Kalfas Elementary for three years. Her professional path was shaped by her own diagnosis of autism at 22 months of age. She described herself as nonverbal and lacking social cues in early childhood, requiring a one-to-one aide through first grade. She credited the support network that fought for her Individualized Education Program daily with inspiring her current advocacy for students.

"I want the absolute best for them every single day, and as their advocate, we are going to make sure that happens," D'Angelo said regarding her students. Her approach has drawn attention from an online community that includes 215,000 followers on Instagram and 679,000 on TikTok.

Najah Peterson, an assistant teacher at the school, noted that D'Angelo prioritizes student needs above all else. Peterson stated that D'Angelo consistently puts children and the school first while remaining willing to assist colleagues. The school intends to use the $5,000 donation for resources, though specific spending plans have not yet been announced.

D'Angelo stated that she will bank her personal $10,000 prize for savings. She expressed enthusiasm for the ongoing delivery of tissue supplies, noting that the consistent arrivals are a notable change for the school environment. The award recognizes her three-year tenure in the classroom where she focuses on special education needs.