Mowry also talked about which show her mother has binged more than once.

It is time for back to school in many areas of the country. While families go shopping and buy school clothes and supplies, actress Tia Mowry and Walgreens have partnered for a new program called WE Teachers. In the United States, public school teachers spend at least $500 of their own money each year for classroom supplies, and Walgreens hopes to help defray some of that cost for teachers this year.

Mowry got involved in the program for a variety of reasons, including her son Cree, who is 8-years-old. A mother of two, Mowry realizes the impact that teachers have had in her own life and will continue to have in her life. She and her husband, actor Cory Hardrict, are parents to Cree and Cairo, who is just over 1-year-old, and they have several years ahead of them with school-aged children.

Many people who grew up watching Mowry and her sister Tamera Mowry on Sister Sister are now grown-ups who have children of their own going to public schools, so she is speaking out in support of “WE Teachers.”

Mowry recently sat down with me to talk about why this program is so near and dear to her heart. She also teased a huge part she has coming up for Lifetime’s Christmas movie lineup extravaganza for 2019. According to Country Living, Mowry’s movie joins an impressive lineup of 28 brand-new movies coming to the network this holiday season. Plus, she reveals which TV show of hers that her mom has binged more than once.

Tia Mowry: Hi Rachel!

Rachel Dillin: Hi Tia! How are you?

TM: I’m good. How are you?

RD: I’m doing great. Thanks. I see that you’ve partnered with the WE Teachers program and Walgreens.

TM: Yes.

RD: Can you tell me a little bit about why you’ve chosen this partnership?

TM: Yeah. First of all, I’m just really excited to talk about this program. I truly understand the role and the impact that teachers make when it comes to building and shaping our children. So, I’m really excited to have partnered up with Walgreens, and I’m glad that they’re stepping up and putting a spotlight on teachers all across America with the “We Teachers” program.

This is a program that was launched by Walgreens in addition to an organization called Me To We, and the goal of this program is basically to provide free resources within the classroom all across America.

Another thing that I just absolutely love about this program is that they will be providing free online classes for teachers who want to get a better understanding about how to deal with difficult social issues within the classroom.

For example, bullying, mental health, or youth violence. I truly believe that this program will definitely have a huge impact within our classrooms this year.

RD: That is awesome! It’s back-to-school time, and I wondered since you probably have one school-aged child, is there anything you do to help support your son’s teachers, or any tips? I know you have good tips.

TM: Oh yes. Number one I think you just said support. I think it’s something as free as just saying “thank you.” I think teachers definitely need a lot of support, and just showing them you care goes a long way. At preschool, we buy roses for our teachers amongst other amazing incredible things like what Walgreens is doing.

I think it’s important to note that teachers spend $500 of their own money to stock their classrooms.

To show how committed Walgreens is in showing appreciation, they’ve launched the We Teachers Award in which students, teachers, and parents can nominate their favorite teacher, and they will have chance to win a $500 gift card. Walgreens is giving out 500 of these cards totaling $250,000. A quarter of a million dollars. It’s just so incredible how they are showing their appreciation. Not only can you nominate a teacher to help with this program, you can pick up some back-to-school supplies at your nearest Walgreens. You can just walk up to the register and say, ‘Hey, I’d like to give a cash donation.’ A little goes a long way. If you want to know more, you can go to walgreens.com/metowe.

I feel like this is an incredible program, and it’s very dear to me because I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for some of my favorite teachers. One is Mrs. Smallwood who was my third grade teacher who just taught me to believe in myself. I had certain insecurities such as raising my hand and asking a question. She really taught me that it’s okay to ask a question. There’s nothing wrong with asking a question. She really took that time to help me with my self-esteem.

Also, I have a professor, Dr. Banks, who was my professor when I was going to college at Pepperdine University. It was basically like a therapy class. He really worked on the students’ mental health, and I think it’s important to not only educate ourselves but also to help with mental health. That’s one of the things I just love about this program. They get it. Walgreens. They understand how important our teachers are. If we can just lend a hand and support them in any way, I truly believe it’ll be beneficial for all of us.

RD: Okay, so wrapping up, can you tell me a little bit about the latest news in your acting career and what you have coming up?

TM: I am currently on a show called ‘Family Reunion.’ I am having the time of my life on this show. I really find that it’s refreshing, and it’s different from all the other shows that I’ve done. Maybe it’s a little like ‘Sister Sister’ in the sense that it’s multigenerational.

It’s a show that the whole family can enjoy from my kids, to me, to my mother. I mean, I’ve been on four television shows, and my mom has called me and told me she’s binged watched this show twice.

That’s how much she loves this show. It’s something that I’ve been hearing. That’s been the feedback hat everybody is truly enjoying this show, so make sure you check it out!

I also finished doing a Lifetime movie. It’s a Christmas movie called ‘A Very Vintage Christmas.’

RD: Oh fun!

TM: Yes. It’s an adorable script and an adorable storyline. Something I’ve never done before. She’s very much into vintage things, and she believes that all things old can be new again. There’s a great story behind this script, so make sure you guys check that out around Christmas.