Around the world, millions of teachers and educators play a crucial role in shaping future leaders, particularly in areas like science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education, where skilled teachers are essential for preparing students for tomorrow’s workforce.
Teacher Appreciation Week: Investing in Educators, Empowering Tomorrow
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5 – 9, 2025, PPG and the PPG Foundation are recognizing the many ways teachers play a role in sparking an early interest in exploration and discovery and encouraging curiosity in the possibilities of STEM studies.
“Investing in classrooms and STEM education includes empowering teachers to build confidence and inspire the next generation of innovators. Often, this means ensuring teachers have access to in-classroom resources and ongoing training,” said Malesia Dunn, executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate global social responsibility.
“During Teacher Appreciation Week and year-round, we celebrate the incredible role educators play in turning possibility into passion by partnering with organizations that support teachers’ STEM lessons and provide learning tools.”
Over the past four years, the PPG Foundation has teamed up with AdoptaClassroom.org to do just this. In 2025, grants were made to schools in PPG communities like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; Huntsville, Alabama; and Greensboro, North Carolina.
For Crystal, the principal at Pittsburgh Arlington K-8, the grant has helped her students find their passion for STEM in real time.
“Before receiving the grant, our STEM lessons were limited by the availability of resources,” Crystal shared. “The lessons often felt more like lectures than interactive learning, and I could sense that many students were disconnected from the material. With the new supplies we purchased with the grant, I saw students who were previously disengaged suddenly become excited and eager to participate. The hands-on nature of the new materials allowed them to apply concepts in real time, making the lessons feel more relevant and dynamic.”
Arlington K-8 used their donation to purchase LEGO® and robot kits so students at the school can practice programming on drones and other moving robotics. Crystal said, “The energy in the classroom was palpable” as students coded their own robots to perform basic tasks.
Read a blog post from AdoptaClassroom.org to see stories from other classrooms.
PPG and the PPG Foundation investments in teachers don't stop here. Read on for a sample of other partners and support.
- Innovative Classroom Grants: We help our employees support local, public schools in the U.S. by applying for grants up to $1,000 to support projects that spark students’ interest in STEM.
- I-CAR educational programs: Stepping into automotive refinish skilled training programs, the PPG Foundation partners with I-CAR and the Collision Repair Education Foundation to support training classes at 16 business development centers across North America.
- Environmental sustainability education: Several of the partnerships within our commitment to environmental education help teachers enhance their curriculum. Read more about our work with National Energy Education Development, Foundation for Environmental Education and Shamengo.