“Many Americans have a favorite athlete or team but we all have a favorite teacher. We think of them and their impact of our lives fondly, but rarely say, ‘thanks’ once we leave their classroom.”
Lindsay Downing-Schroeder
Every teacher could be the MVE (Most Valuable Educator) for their students. They deserve the respect, resources, and support needed to maximize their impact and enjoy their work in the classroom.
That’s why Empowered will be literal cheerleaders – asking fans of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks to “Make Some Noise for Teachers” during select games at State Farm Arena during the 2024-25 season. Presence will include in-arena signage and giving up to 1,000 educators a Prize Pack of goodies for them and their classroom.
“By publicly celebrating teachers we all win,” said Lindsay Downing-Schroeder, Empowered’s CEO. “Many Americans have a favorite athlete or team but we all have a favorite teacher. We think of them and their impact of our lives fondly but rarely say ‘thanks’ once we leave their classroom.”
Empowered will also use the opportunity to introduce attending teachers to their collection of no-cost resources that includes: a library of 180+ easily-modified hands-on activities; an A.I. tool that can generate and enhance lesson plans; dozens of classroom resources to help bring learning to life; and a collaborative community of 54,000+ teachers and 30+ staffers (many former teachers) sharing ideas, resources, and support.
“This is an opportunity for us to amplify our focus on teacher joy,” said Sean Amore, Director of Brand Marketing for Empowered. “Being associated with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena is wonderful for our organization but this chance to give teachers their due ‘props’ and to offer them our support is equally exciting.”
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena are offering Georgia Educators discounted tickets to select Teacher Appreciation Nights throughout the season. Empowered will be present at six games (Saturday, December 21 and Saturday, December 28, 2024, and Saturday, January 25, Saturday, April 5, Sunday, April 6, and Saturday, April 13, 2025). Educators can get their Prize Packs and meet our staff just inside Gate 1 from about an hour before tip-off until the end of the third quarter during the above games.
Founded in 1991, Empowered started supporting Georgia’s classroom professionals in 2006. Today there are over 1,000 Peach State teachers within the national, 54,000+ member Empowered Community today.
Empowered’s presence at Hawk’s games is through their parent organization — Stand Together (a philanthropic community focused on addressing some of our nation’s biggest challenges, including education) — and a recently announced, multi-year partnership with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, and the team’s home, State Farm Arena.
