The gold coins in the treasure chest behind Shannon Kersenbrock's desk aren't worth much money.

But the plastic coins are priceless for the students in her first-grade class at Manor Heights Elementary School. The chest holds pencils, plastic bracelets and stencils, which Kersenbrock bought for rewards and incentives.

"I tell them if they do their job all week, they get paid on Friday," she said.

Now Kersenbrock has $100 to spend on those bonuses. She was one of ten teachers who received a $100 gift card from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation. The prize is part of Walmart's Teacher Rewards Program, which replaces its Teacher of the Year award. Each area with a Walmart store chose one K-8 school in the area to receive gift cards to give to 10 randomly selected teachers. The program plans to give away $4 million to 40,000 teachers nationwide.

Casper Walmart employees nominated schools, and Manor Heights was chosen at random. Principal Kent Thompson said the awards were a pleasant surprise.

"We provide a pretty good school budget, but there are always classroom supplies or materials they could use," he said.

Teachers spend, on average, $500 each year of their own money on classroom supplies and needs, according to the American Federation of Teachers. Kersenbrock said she doesn't know how much has come out of her own pocket, but she pays on a regular basis. She has bought books and professional materials, as well as the small prizes her students consider to be gold.

"Sometimes in the heat of the moment I find something and get it for the kids," she said.

She said she has some ideas for the money -- scented markers, fun computer software -- but she wants to let her students decide how to use the money.

Reach education reporter Jackie Borchardt at (307) 266-0593 or at jackie.borchardt@trib.com. Read her education blog at tribtown.trib.com/reportcard