Teacher Program Gives 30 Schools $300K in Tech Grants

When communities nominate their best teachers, something remarkable happens. Those educators don't just get recognition—their entire school gets the tools to transform learning.

The Rack Room Shoes Gives Teacher of the Year program celebrates its seventh year in 2026, having honored 30 teachers across America. Each winning school receives a $10,000 technology grant that bridges the gap between traditional teaching and hands-on innovation.

The program works through a simple but powerful process. Anyone can nominate a teacher who's made a real difference in their community. After collecting over 300 nominations each year, the program opens public voting to let communities choose their winners.

The money goes directly where it matters most. Lead Mine Elementary used nearly 80% of its grant to launch K-5 robotics classes and a daily student newscast called "Live at the Mine." Now young students learn circuitry, program robots, and practice leadership skills on camera.

Other winning schools have purchased 3D printers, new laptops, STEAM lab equipment, and full broadcast systems. These aren't just nice additions—they're tools that prepare students for a technology-driven future many schools can't afford on their own.

The Ripple Effect

What started as honoring individual teachers has become a movement that equips entire communities. When one teacher wins, hundreds of students gain access to learning experiences that seemed out of reach. The robotics students at Lead Mine aren't just playing with gadgets—they're building problem-solving skills that will serve them for life.

The program also strengthens community bonds. Families who nominate teachers, neighbors who vote, and local businesses that support these initiatives all become invested in their schools' success. That collective support turns corporate funding into real classroom innovation.

At a time when many schools struggle with tight budgets, this initiative proves that recognizing great teachers and equipping their classrooms can happen together. The dedication these educators show every day now comes with the resources to match their vision.

Seven years and 30 teachers later, the program continues opening doors for students who deserve every opportunity to succeed.