Shoe Company Awards 30 Teachers $10K Tech Grants

When parents and students nominate exceptional teachers, something powerful happens: entire communities rally to reward dedication with real classroom tools.

Rack Room Shoes' Gives Teacher of the Year program celebrates its seventh year in 2026, having recognized 30 educators nationwide who've changed lives despite limited resources. Each year, over 300 nominations pour in from families sharing stories of teachers who go beyond the call of duty.

The winners receive personal recognition, but more importantly, their schools receive $10,000 technology grants. These funds bridge the gap between what passionate teachers envision and what tight budgets allow.

Lead Mine Elementary shows what's possible when resources meet vision. The school dedicated nearly 80% of its grant to K-5 robotics equipment and a daily live newscast called "Live at the Mine." Now students learn circuitry by programming robots and develop leadership skills by anchoring real news segments.

Other winning schools have used grants for 3D printers, laptops, STEAM lab resources, and full broadcast systems. The community-driven selection process ensures that families who witness great teaching daily help decide which classrooms receive support.

The Ripple Effect

When one teacher wins, hundreds of students gain access to hands-on learning that prepares them for tomorrow's careers. The robotics programs, broadcast studios, and maker spaces funded through these grants create inquiry-based learning opportunities that many districts can't afford on their own.

The program's structure turns appreciation into action: nominations become votes, votes become grants, and grants become equipped classrooms. Corporate support flows directly to schools, bypassing bureaucracy and landing where it matters most.

As the 2026 cycle opens for nominations, the initiative proves that recognizing exceptional teachers doesn't require choosing between honoring educators and helping students. Doing both transforms not just individual classrooms but entire school communities that watch dedicated teachers receive the tools their students deserve.