MCSD Teacher Wins $10,000 Grant as Teacher of the Year Awardee
January 12, 2022
Just in time for the holidays, staff and students at John Muir Elementary School received an unexpected but welcome gift. That’s because one of their own, 6th-grade teacher Mr. Sou Lee, was recognized as Rack Room Shoes Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lee was presented with a $10,000 technology grant for the school and a $500 gift card for him.
At the beginning of the school year, Rack Room Shoes launched a national competition calling for customers to nominate teachers who have made a positive impact in their lives and the lives of their children. On the last day of the nomination period, parent Ana Yanez saw the email calling for nominations. “I knew exactly who I wanted to nominate. Mr. Lee has inspired my 5th grader to excel. He goes above and beyond for his students and I have seen his influence on my child. He is motivated and interested in school like never before. Because of Mr. Lee, he has found a new love for science and he hopes to become an engineer someday. Mr. Lee will forever live in my son’s life for his love of teaching and compassion. He is very dedicated and makes every student feel special. He motivates students to not only do their best in school but also in life. He demonstrates concern and makes science and math fun. He's been a great mentor for my son and for many kids to follow. I’m so happy my son was able to have him as a teacher.”
Rack Room Shoes committed to awarding five $10,000 grants to the schools of the winning teachers and a $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card for each of the winning educators.
Hearing about Mr. Lee’s nomination, his fellow teachers at Muir and the District, rallied behind him and put out a call to the community via social media to vote during the online voting period.
In the end, Mr. Lee received the 2nd most number of votes, getting thousands of votes from all over the nation out of 399 nominations. Mr. Lee joins four other exceptional teachers and is the first one from California to have received the award.
“I’m overwhelmed and speechless. My students inspire me every day and this is all for them,” shares Mr. Lee. He says his favorite part about being a teacher is seeing his students grow in their academics. “I especially enjoy that ‘ah ha’ moment when the light bulb goes off. It takes a lot of work and patience to get to the ‘ah ha’ moment, but it is worth the time and effort. I learn from the students every day. It amazes me how my students think. I enjoy listening to how they approach math problems in different ways. They continue to amaze me every day,” he adds.
Mr. Lee credits his background and upbringing as his motivation as a teacher. His grandparents were refugees from Laos and they spoke no English. Because of that, they faced difficulties adjusting to their new life in the US, so he was raised to value education as a way to rise above his situation. “I go to work every day hoping to inspire my students to work hard and pursue their dreams. I want my students to realize how important education is and how it can change their lives. It changed my life. I bring the best of me every day to work to inspire and to remind my students that they have the power to turn things around.”
Principal Michelle Colburn says she is not surprised Lee was nominated. “Mr. Lee is an amazing teacher who inspires his students to excel. His belief in his students encourages them to believe in themselves and that goes a long way for their success. Because of this grant, we will be able to purchase much-needed devices to provide computer-assisted learning activities that will increase academic achievement and a more immersive learning experience.”
“Now more than ever, educators are facing mounting challenges in their classrooms. It is an honor to recognize exceptional teachers through our Teacher of the Year program and support them through donations to their schools,” President and CEO Mark Lardie said. “We hope this recognition will help exceptional teachers continue to inspire students and impact their communities in positive ways.”
Rack Room Shoes is headquartered in Charlotte. Rack Room Shoes operates more than 500 locations nationwide under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands. Through Rack Room Shoes Gives, the company's ongoing philanthropic program, the company provides ways in which customers and employees can seek support for charitable organizations, instilling trust and inspiration in the communities served.
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