Jefferson’s “Teacher of the Year” Program Underscores Community-First Approach
Neighborhood Restaurant Concept Recognizes Impactful Educators with New Initiative
Lawrence, KS – May 6, 2025 – Jefferson’s, the neighborhood restaurant known for its wings, burgers, and neighborhood culture, has proudly completed the inaugural rollout of its Teacher of the Year program across all 36 restaurant locations. This initiative was launched in honor of National Teachers’ Day on May 6, recognizing one exceptional educator per city. Each winning teacher received a $500 Jefferson’s gift card in addition to their name engraved on a Teacher of the Year plaque displayed prominently in their local Jefferson’s restaurant.
The new initiative builds on Jefferson’s successful Coach of the Year program, which launched in 2023 and expanded system-wide in 2024 to tremendous success and community enthusiasm. Jefferson’s introduced the Teacher of the Year award as a sister initiative to the coaches’ award, honoring educators whose impact stretches far beyond the classroom and into homes, hearts, and communities–much like the coaches Jefferson’s was thrilled to spotlight in the fall.
A Celebration Through Storytelling
The Teacher of the Year nomination window drew thousands of heartfelt submissions from across Jefferson’s five-state footprint—Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri, and Kansas—proving just how many educators have transformed lives in ways big and small. Parents, students, and community members shared stories of teachers who remember every child’s favorite games and movies, have inside jokes with their students, make their students laugh, and bring their joy for their subjects to their classrooms. These same teachers also:
- Serve as parent figures for children who’ve lost their parents
- Provide toiletries, meals, snacks, clothes, school supplies, and other essentials for children and families in need
- Involve their students in community service by building beds, hosting drives, and volunteering with nonprofit food providers
- Nurture creativity and hands-on learning by building gardening projects with their classes, planning field trips to bookstores, and securing funding for students to take educational cross-country trips
- Step in with supplies and emotional support during times of loss and crisis
“This program has reminded us just how powerful and personal a great teacher’s impact can be,” said Brandon Graham, President of Jefferson’s. “So many nominations came from present and past students who still remember their teacher decades later—not just for what they learned, but for how that teacher made them feel seen, safe, and believed in.”
Local Leaders with Lasting Legacies
Winners of the inaugural Teacher of the Year award include long-time educators, new teachers already making waves, and community figures who also serve as coaches, mentors, and volunteers. The winners teach all age groups, from pre-K to twelfth grade, and all subjects, from reading intervention to special education to upper-level math. The diversity of subjects and grade levels represented reflects Jefferson’s commitment to celebrating whole-person development, not just academic achievement.
More Than a Meal
While Jefferson’s is perhaps best known for its wings and burgers, Graham said the brand is equally focused on something else: being a place where communities come together.
“People come to Jefferson’s after school plays, big games, and graduation nights. We’re proud to be a hub for celebration—and we want to make sure we’re also celebrating the people who make those milestones possible. We’re honored to have found ways to acknowledge our coaches and teachers, and we won’t stop looking for ways to give back to our neighborhoods.”
The Teacher of the Year program underscores what has been true since Jefferson’s first opened its doors: food brings people together, and strong communities are built by recognizing and supporting those who serve.
