Innovative East Jordan teacher receives prestigious national award for excellence

October 10, 2024October 10, 2024

Matt Hamilton

East Jordan teacher Matt Hamilton has been selected as one of only five teachers nationwide to receive this year’s Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the highest honors in public education.

Hamilton, a teacher at East Jordan Middle/High School in Charlevoix County, is the founder and leader of the school’s renowned “Shoe Club.” The club collects shoes from notable people around the world to reinforce the importance of hard work and dedication.

The club’s collection includes autographed sneakers from Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Michael Jordan; signed red pumps from Dolly Parton; ski boots from Olympic gold medalist Mikaela Shiffrin; dress shoes from cell phone inventor Martin Cooper; and a pair of snakeskin-patterned heels from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

“When you see what [Hamilton] is doing here, and you hear the stories and the conversations around values and leadership, I think it’s really a cool way to draw in young people,” Whitmer said during a recent visit to Hamilton’s school. “It’s really an inspiration.”

Rylan McVannel, a junior and Shoe Club member, said: “Mr. Hamilton is one of the biggest influences I have ever had in my life, aside from my parents. I cannot even think of where I would be right now if I hadn’t learned some of the skills I’ve learned through Shoe Club.”

Students who join the Shoe Club learn leadership and life skills by designing and executing community service projects. One such initiative involved raising $163,000 from the community to make much-needed improvements to Grand Armory of the Republic Park, a mini-park that pays tribute to Civil War veterans.

Earlier this year, the MEA selected Hamilton as the recipient of its 2024 Educational Excellence Award.

“We are incredibly proud of Matt Hamilton for receiving this coveted award that recognizes his amazing work on behalf of East Jordan students and families,” said MEA President and CEO Chandra Madafferi. “Matt is a shining example of the amazing work performed by dedicated public school educators in classrooms throughout our state and country, all of whom are dedicated to helping students learn, grow and thrive.”