Oct. 2, 2026 – H-E-B, San Antonio ISD and the SAISD Foundation are celebrating World Teacher Day on Oct. 5 with a 4:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony to open San Antonio’s first free teacher supply store, located at 415 Gabriel Street. For 20 years, the SAISD Foundation has supported teachers through innovative project grants, and this initiative continues to support teachers with tools and supplies they use every day in their classrooms.
“Teachers remain the backbone of our community, yet every year they spend hundreds of dollars of their own money just to stock their classrooms,” Judy Geelhoed, SAISD Foundation Executive Director. “The SAISD Foundation is changing that, and we are proud that H-E-B has joined us as our exclusive corporate sponsor on this store built exclusively for SAISD PK-12 educators.”
During the school day, the store will be staffed by trainees in SAISD’s Adult Years Vocational Program, allowing the store to also serve as an active pre-employment training site for special education students. After school, the space transitions into a hub for mentorship, as retired educators from the San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association (SAARTA) volunteer to staff the store and guide the next generation of teachers. Additionally, a designated workroom will support poster making and laminating, as well as generate teacher collaboration and sharing of best practices.
The Teacher Store is located inside SAISD’s Young Men’s Leadership Academy, occupying the space previously utilized by the Wheatley Community School.
“This campus has been part of San Antonio's story for nearly a century, and we're proud to be a small part of it,” Geelhoed said. “Today, YMLA is writing the next chapter, and it's a great one.”
WHAT:
Stocked with free classroom supplies for SAISD teachers, the SAISD Foundation Teacher Store will be staffed by trainees in SAISD’s Adult Years Vocational Program, with support from San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association volunteers. The event will bring together company leaders, elected officials, leaders, and staff from San Antonio ISD. Teachers, school leaders, and students of the participating schools will also attend.
WHO:
Dr. Xochitl Rodriguez, SAISD Deputy Superintendent of Teaching, Learning & Leadership
Dr. Hilarion Martinez, SAISD Chief School Officer
John Norman, SAISD Chief Transformation Officer
Derrick Brown, Principal, Young Men’s Leadership Academy
Shelene Livas, Principal, Pershing Elementary School
Dr. Henrietta Munoz, Chief Executive Officer - Institute for School and Community Partnerships, TAMUSA
Sylvia R. Reyna, Ph.D., President of San Antonio Area Retired Teachers Association
Carlos Maestas, Board Chair, SAISD Foundation
Lacey Kotzur, Public Affairs, H-E-B
WHEN:
Monday, October 5, 2026 at 4:30 pm
WHERE:
SAISD’s Young Men’s Leadership Academy, 415 Gabriel Street, San Antonio, TX, 78202
The Teacher Store will occupy the space previously utilized by the Wheatley Community School. The entrance to the store is in the back of the campus, with parking available off N. Gevers.
MEDIA OPT:
Leaders available for interviews and photos