They’re class acts. Rack Room Shoes is honoring five Tar Heel State educators with its annual Teacher of the Year award for making a meaningful impact on students and school communities. Each winner of the company’s annual contest will receive a $10,000 innovation grant for their school and a $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card.
This year’s honorees are:
• Kaitlyn Adams, CTE-FACS counseling and mental health teacher at Lee County High School, Sanford
• Alysha Christian, sixth-grade teacher at The Arts Based School, Winston-Salem
• Denise Furr, media teacher at Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh
• Elizabeth Roebuck, fourth-grade teacher at Forestville Road Elementary School, Knightdale
• Jeff Stocks, fifth-grade teacher at Faith Christian Academy, Goldsboro
The annual contest starts with an open call for nominations during which students, parents, and others can submit a story illustrating how their favorite teacher inspired a child to achieve greatness. Winners are chosen through a public online vote on Rack Room Shoes’ Teacher of the Year Contest page.
This year, participants nominated more than 600 educators, a new record that more than doubled the number of submissions received for the 2025 awards.
“This program is about celebrating educators who are making a real difference every day,” says Brenda Christmon, senior director of brand communications at Rack Room Shoes. “Their dedication continues to shape brighter futures, and we are proud to recognize their work through this program. We remain committed to honoring their contributions along with investing in the success of the students and communities we serve.”
Part of that investment involves school innovation grants, which winning teachers and the schools that employ them can channel into enhancing learning environments and student resources. For example, one 2026 winner plans to use the grant for new library books and playground equipment for students with disabilities.
The post Top of the Class: Rack Room Shoes Names Teachers of the Year appeared first on Footwear Plus Magazine.
