Classroom Makeover Contest Giving Away $10,000 Upgrade

A new contest from Great American Financial Resources (GAFRI) is giving a new look to some old classrooms. Now in its fourth year, the Great American Classroom Makeover will give one lucky grand prize winner $5,000, plus a matching gift for the school.

“Many teachers spend their own money for basic classroom supplies,” said Tom Maxey, GAFRI executive vice president, in a statement announcing the contest. “The Great American Classroom Makeover is one of the ways our company reaches out to help those who shape the futures of today’s youth.”

In addition to the grand prize, the contest will also award two $3,000 prizes to one second place winner, and two separate $1,500 gifts for the class that places third.

To enter, teachers should write a few sentences--300 words or less--about why their classroom deserves a makeover and include a recent photo of their current space. Entries will be accepted through December 30, online and via post. GAFRI will post a list of finalists in January, and a round of public voting will commence in February to determine the winners.

Additional information, including official rules, is available on the GAFRI's contest website.

About the Author

Stephen Noonoo is an education technology journalist based in Los Angeles. He is on Twitter @stephenoonoo.

Featured

  • interconnected geometric human figures forming a network

    CoSN: School Staffing Is the Top Hurdle to K-12 Innovation

    Hiring and keeping educators and IT staff remains the top challenge for K-12 education in 2025, according to the latest Driving K-12 Innovation Report from the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN).

  • stylized human profiles, tablets, and floating icons

    From Feedback to Flexibility: 5 AI Tools Teachers Should Try

    As a fifth-grade teacher and AI School Champion in the St. Vrain Valley School District, I've seen firsthand how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education. Here are five AI-enabled tools I've found especially powerful in my classroom and professional practice.

  • DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education Announces Accessibility Enhancements for DreamBox Math

    Discovery Education has updated DreamBox Math, an online math program for K–8 students to supplement core instruction, to improve accessibility for K–5 students, according to a news release. DreamBox Math provides personalized instruction by adapting to individual learners’ responses and providing an engaging, dynamic learning environment.

  • SXSW EDU

    3 Opportunities to Get Hands-on with AI at SXSW EDU 2025

    This March 3-6 in Austin, TX, the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival celebrates its 15th year of exploring the most critical issues in education and providing a forum for creativity, innovation, and expression.