Behind the Brand

If you can read this, thank a teacher!

That’s what we encouraged students to do as they prepared for back-to-school. After receiving nominations at each of our stores, we learned that our customers are educated by some of the best! Store teams had their homework cut out for them as they selected one lucky teacher from their store, totaling 291 teachers across our footprint, to win a $500 gift card to style their back-to-school wardrobe.

The Thank a Teacher promotion was part of our first Back-to-School Charity Sale where customers donated, shopped and saved. Once customers donated $5 to their favorite local charity, they received $5 off their purchase and took advantage of sales on rarely discounted brands. Meanwhile, students wrote sweet notes to recognize their favorite teachers. These hometown heroes build future leaders who are sure to invest in their communities as their role models invest in them. It has been an honor to thank hundreds of teachers, including Margie Ann Brown from Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee.

“After receiving many nominations, we were compelled to select a teacher who encouraged her student of one week to write a beautiful note thanking her favorite teacher,”Amye Hamilton, Johnson City, Tennessee. “After reading that one of Ms. Brown’s students so loved being in her art class and appreciated her efforts as a teacher, we knew we found a winner. We appreciate her efforts, too!” 

Congratulations to 291 educators for making an impact on their students and in their communities. Meet the teachers and read many of their stories.