Teachers in nine states win a $1,000 Costco Shop gift card for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. Each person is now eligible to compete for the Grand Prize, which includes approx. $11,000 in cash and prizes.
Teachers from states across the country including California, Georgia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Utah are First Prize winners in the national teacher recognition program presented by Kleenex®. Kleenex® Heroes of the Classroom — commemorating 100 years of strength with Kleenex Brand Tissues — recognizes K-12 teachers for their hard work, resilience, and dedication to students. Each of the ten First Prize winners is eligible to compete for the $11,000 Grand Prize which will be selected by public vote. Read about the winning teachers and cast your vote by October 11 at HeroesoftheClassroom.com/vote.
The First Prize winners (in alphabetical order):
- Lauren Brazel, Tinley Park High School in Tinley Park, Illinois
- Beverly Cannon, Utah County Academy of Sciences in Provo, Utah
- Laurie Chandley, West High School in Torrance, California
- Gail Clark, Providence Christian Academy in Lilburn, Georgia
- Valencia Davis, Loara High School in Anaheim, California
- Valerie Dix, Greenville Tech Charter High School in Greenville, South Carolina
- Jose Herrera, Keys Gate Charter in Homestead, Florida
- Michael Ida, Kalani High School in Honolulu, Hawaii
- Tina Miller, Mannion Middle School in Henderson, Nevada
- Jennifer Sanchez, Frank R. Conwell Middle School No. 4 in Jersey City, New Jersey
Winners were nominated by fellow teachers and parents for many worthy efforts including those that improve reading and math proficiency; build community; encourage a love of learning; build self-esteem; or for teachers who showed extraordinary effort on behalf of students, staff, and families.
On October 16, one Grand Prize winner will be named and will receive a check for $5,000. The Grand Prize winner’s school also receives a $5,000 check plus a one-year supply of Kleenex Brand Tissue. Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $11,000. Additionally, individuals who nominated the ten finalists also receive a $1,000 Costco Shop card. To vote for the Grand Prize winner, go to HeroesoftheClassroom.com/vote.
This program is in partnership with Campus Multimedia, a school communication and marketing company that administers such programs on behalf of national brands. “Campus Multimedia is honored to bring the Heroes of the Classroom program to our nation’s teachers on behalf of the iconic Kleenex brand, a product that is used in virtually every classroom in the country,” said Karl Mawhinney, CEO and Chief Commercial Officer at Campus Multimedia.
The American Consortium for Equity in Education, publisher of the "Equity & Access" journal, celebrates and connects the educators, associations, community partners and industry leaders who are working to solve problems and create a more equitable environment for historically underserved pre K-12 students throughout the United States.
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/April 23, 2025
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/
- American Consortium for Equity in Educationhttps://ace-ed.org/author/admin/