IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug 25, 2025--
Ten teachers from across the country have been named finalists in the Heroes of the Classroom national teacher recognition program, presented by Kleenex®. Heroes of the Classroom honors K-12 teachers, administrators, and other teaching staff for their strength, impact, and dedication to students. Each of the ten finalists are in the running for the Grand Prize worth approximately $16,000 which will be selected by public vote. Read about the finalists and cast your vote by September 8 at HeroesoftheClassroom.com.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250825070614/en/
The finalists (in alphabetical order):
During the week of September 22, one Grand Prize winner will be named and will receive a check for $10,000. The Grand Prize winner’s school will also receive a $5,000 check plus a one-year supply of Kleenex Brand Tissue. Approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $16,000. The nine remaining First Prize winners receive a $1,000 Costco Shop gift card for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. In addition, individuals who nominated the ten finalists will receive a $1,000 Costco Shop card.
This program is in partnership with Campus Multimedia, a school communication and marketing company that administers such programs on behalf of national brands. “Campus Multimedia is proud to bring the Kleenex Heroes of the Classroom program back to schools across the nation for a second year. It’s an honor to serve as the conduit connecting schools throughout the United States with such a well-known and respected brand like Kleenex,” said Karl Mawhinney, CEO and Founder of Campus Multimedia.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY. THIS IS A SKILL BASED CONTEST. Void where prohibited. To vote, you must be 18+ and a legal resident of the 50 U.S. or DC. Voting ends at 11:59:59 a.m. ET on 9/8/25. Limit of one (1) vote per person and per email address. For rules, visit heroesoftheclassroom.com/rules.
About Campus Multimedia
Campus Multimedia is the nation’s leader in brand activation for K-12 schools. By connecting a network of over 84,000 schools with aligned brands, CM provides recognition, resources, and revenue to strengthen school communities. Campus Multimedia’s turnkey programs empower schools while helping brands create authentic local connections that drive engagement and lifelong loyalty. Learn more at campusmultimedia.com.
Connect with CM on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Ten teachers named as finalists in the Kleenex® Heroes of the Classroom Program. Each finalist is now in the running for the Grand Prize award valued at $16,000 in cash and prizes. To cast your vote, go to HeroesoftheClassroom.com.
Aaron Glenn finally had seen enough from his porous, underachieving New York Jets defense after 14 games.
The first-year head coach fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Monday, a day after the team gave up 48 points in one of its worst losses in a 3-11 season.
Glenn announced that Chris Harris, the team's defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, would take over for Wilks. Glenn added that he would assist Harris in the play-calling duties this week.
Glenn said during a video call with reporters that he made the decision late Sunday night — a few hours after New York's 48-20 loss at Jacksonville. He said he spoke to Wilks on Monday morning to inform him that he was relieving him of his duties.
“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said. “I've said this all along, that I'm evaluating players, I'm evaluating coaches, I'm evaluating myself, and I just felt like this was the best decision for right now, for the team and for this organization.”
The 56-year-old Wilks was the first of the Jets' three coordinators hired by Glenn after he took over as head coach in January. Wilks was out of the NFL last season while serving as a volunteer adviser for Charlotte’s football team. He was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2023, but was fired after the 49ers’ loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wilks' defense with the Jets struggled all season, ranking among the league's worst against the run and points allowed. New York set an NFL record with no interceptions through its first 14 games, which also tied a league mark for any 14-game stretch in a season.
The Jets had expected their defense to be a strength for a team that was adjusting to changes to its coaching staff and with a new general manager in Darren Mougey. But the unit struggled all season under Wilks. As of Monday, the Jets' defense ranks 20th overall, 29th against the run and 30th in average points allowed. The pass defense has been serviceable, ranking 12th in the league.
New York, which failed to make the playoffs for the 15th straight year, dealt two of its top players — cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams — at the trade deadline. That further weakened an already inconsistent defense under Wilks.
Two weeks ago, the Jets gave up 167 yards rushing in a 27-24 victory over Atlanta. They followed that up by allowing 239 yards on the ground last week in a 34-10 loss to Miami. On Sunday, Trevor Lawrence threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score in the blowout loss at Jacksonville, during which the Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions.
After the game, Glenn brushed off questions about whether he might consider pulling play-calling duties from Wilks, saying he brought the veteran coach to New York “for a reason, and I want him to run his system.” A few hours later, Glenn decided to move forward without Wilks for the final three games of the season.
“I just thought that from last week going into this week, the improvement wasn't there,” Glenn said. “And I thought it was time to make a change.”
The 43-year-old Harris had 16 career interceptions while playing safety for eight NFL seasons during two stints with Chicago, along with stops in Carolina, Detroit and Jacksonville. After retiring from playing in 2013, Harris began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Bears before joining the Chargers as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2016.
He served in the same role for Washington from 2020 through the 2022 season before being hired by Tennessee as the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.
Glenn said Harris has experience calling defensive plays in the preseason, so he expects him to get up to speed quickly.
“This is a league of change,” Glenn said. “And with change comes opportunity, and this will be a good opportunity for him to get a chance to call it.”
The Jets actually got their second defensive takeaway of the season against Jacksonville, a fumble recovery by Malachi Moore — just over two months after Andre Cisco's fumble recovery against Denver on Oct. 12. New York ranks last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover differential.
“I want to see consistent improvement,” Glenn said. “I want to see structure that’s consistent. I want to see play that’s consistent. And I want to see the culture of this football team come together.”
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
FILE - New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, on Sept. 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)
