LEARNING RESOURCES AND HAND2MIND RECOGNIZED BY CHICAGO TRIBUNE AS TWO TOP WORKPLACES FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

November 4, 2022

(VERNON HILLS, IL)  November 4, 2022 - Learning Resources, an award-winning educational toy company, and hand2mind, a leading educational resources company, have been recognized as two of Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces in 2022, for the third year in a row. The prestigious annual recognition, now in its 13th year, celebrates the most dynamic companies that support and sustain the local Chicago business community. For nearly 40 years, Learning Resources toys have offered kids the building blocks they need to succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning while the company has provided its employees with a collaborative and creative work environment. For more than 50 years, hand2mind has been creating engaging, classroom-tested materials that empower students to learn by doing, while also offering its workforce a positive, innovative, and inclusive culture.

The sister companies continue to thrive thanks in large part to their loyal team members who create engaging educational resources and toys for children to use at home and in the classroom. Based on learning gaps resulting from the pandemic, the teams at both companies have collectively strived to find new ways to help address the needs of children everywhere. From social emotional learning tools to STEM toys to supplemental literacy curricula, both Learning Resources and hand2mind have been able to provide an array of hands-on resources that bring learning to life. These two mission-driven companies have also donated thousands of award-winning educational toys, resources and more to underserved communities and schools in the Chicago area over the years.

“It is an honor to have both of our companies receive this prestigious Top Workplace award not once, not twice, but three times in a row” explained Rick Woldenberg, Chief Executive Officer of Learning Resources and hand2mind. “It speaks volumes about the commitment of our incredible teams, from those that have been here for decades to our most recent new hires.”

In the survey conducted on behalf of Chicago Tribune, employees of Learning Resources noted that they are motivated by “our mission, the people I work with, and the relaxed, yet energetic atmosphere” and “the overall growth of the company, open communication and opportunities to advance and be heard.” 

hand2mind’s employees say the company "is a place that makes you feel valued.” In answering what motivates them to stay, one employee said, “I enjoy being able to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve” and another said, “we are mission-driven and work cross-functionally to create and deliver high-quality, engaging products.”  

Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplace awards are evaluated solely through employee feedback and assessment. Per the Chicago Tribune, a top workplace is considered successful because its employees “enjoy their work, embrace their mission and feel like valued teammates.”

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ABOUT LEARNING RESOURCES:

We're Learning Resources®, and we've been helping parents and teachers build generations of amazing kids since 1984. From ABCs and 123s to fine motor and STEM skills, our educational toys offer kids the building blocks they need to succeed in school and develop a lifelong love of learning. Discover countless ways to learn through play with our award-winning products, including Toy of the Year winners Tumble Trax®, Botley® the Coding Robot, and Coding Critters™.

For more information, visit www.learningresources.com, or follow the brand on Twitter @LearningHandsOn, Facebook @LearningResources and Instagram @learningresources.

ABOUT hand2mind:

At hand2mind, we believe children learn best by doing. For over 50 years, teachers and school administrators at thousands of schools and districts across the country have relied on our high-quality, hands-on materials to expand their core curriculum. Offering resources for math, science, STEM, and literacy, we support teachers, inspire students, engage parents, and champion learning by doing. 

For more information, please visit www.hand2mind.com or follow the brand on Twitter @hand2mind, Facebook @hand2mindinc, and Instagram @hand2mindinc.