NEA Foundation Honors Michigan Educator with NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence

By: PR Leap

February 16, 2025 at 03:00 AM EST

(PRLeap.com) Washington, D.C. (February 15, 2025) - The NEA Foundation announced today that Matthew Hamilton, a seventh grade social studies educator and middle and high school video production educator at East Jordan Public Schools in East Jordan, Mich., is the recipient of the 2025 NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence, one of public education's top honors. The award, which comes with $25,000, was presented to Hamilton by NEA Member Benefits President and CEO Leona Lindner at the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on the evening of February 14.

"Matthew exemplifies a true commitment to making a difference in his community through education and the connections he forms with students every day," said President and CEO of The NEA Foundation Sara A. Sneed. "His teaching practice serves as an inspiration and a reminder that each one of us has the power to make a positive impact on our communities."

One of the innovative ways Hamilton has helped students connect with others and with their own potential is through his club for middle school students, the Shoe Club. The Shoe Club encourages reading and reflection on life goals and motivation, and collects shoes from people across all walks of life, including astronauts, inventors, athletes, musicians, business people, and more. Hamilton has collected shoes from Stephen Spielberg, Dolly Parton, and Michael Jordan, to name a few, and asks students to consider what it would be like to "walk a day in someone else's shoes."

Hamilton also actively contributes to his school community through the Shoe Club. In recent years, he has worked with students on a number of school and community projects, including raising money to install solar panels for a school in their district, raising funds to enhance a school garden, and partnering with veterans to improve a community park. Through his hands-on community involvement, Hamilton is an advocate for the teaching profession as a means through which educators can positively impact not only their classrooms, but also the world around them.

The NEA Member Benefits Award was one of several honors presented at the 2025 Salute to Excellence in Education Gala on February 14 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. At the event, The NEA Foundation also recognized one individual and two organizations for their positive impact on public education: Kent McGuire, who received the Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education; Black Teacher Project, which received the Equity Partner Award; and Mikva Challenge, which received the Student Voices for Education Award.

About The NEA Foundation

The NEA Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to promoting justice, opportunity, equity, and excellence in public education. Founded by educators in 1969, The NEA Foundation ensures that all students have access to the high-quality learning experiences they need to become informed, empathetic, and engaged citizens-vital to a thriving democracy. For more information, visit www.neafoundation.org.

GET IN TOUCH
Liz Proctor
The NEA Foundation
707-318-1635
https://www.neafoundation.org/

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NEA Foundation Honors Michigan Educator with NEA Member Benefits Award for Teaching Excellence

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