Sweepstakes

Back to School 2026

Thank you, educators!

Our Ready. Set. Inspire. back-to-school sweepstakes has ended. Thank you to everyone who entered and helped us celebrate educators, classrooms and schools across the country. We wish you a happy and successful school year!

Congratulations to Erin Jewell, library media specialist at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, Texas. Erin is the winner of the $25,000 grand prize classroom makeover in Horace Mann’s Ready. Set. Inspire. back-to-school sweepstakes!

Educators make room for big dreams every day, and we’re excited to help Erin reimagine a space where students can learn, create and grow. A huge thank-you to Lakeshore Learning for helping bring this classroom transformation to life!

We Surprised Our 2026 Classroom Makeover Winner

  • Week 1 winners

    Announced Aug. 8, 2026

    Coffee gift cards

    1. Melissa T.
    2. Tricia W., WI
       

    Target/Amazon gift card winners

    1. Rex B., NC
    2. Miranda B., TN
    3. Dawn M., KS
    4. Glenda J., WA
    5. Mindy L., AR
    6. Gail N., GA
    7. Jenny S., OH
    8. Erin S., MA
    9. Stephanie S., IL
    10. Steven H., AL

  • Week 2 winners
    Announced Aug. 14, 2026

    Coffee gift cards

    1. Jessica H., VA
    2. Kristina P., PA
       

     

    Target/Amazon gift card winners

    1. Nathaniel A., SC
    2. Shawn C., TX
    3. Thomasine D., NC
    4. Lynette G., MI
    5. Lauren G., MO
    6. Talia H., UT
    7. Sarah J., IA
    8. Tracy S., AZ
    9. Amanda T., NV
    10. Erica W., TX

  • Week 3 winners
    Announced Aug. 21, 2026

    Coffee gift cards

    1. Kathryn N., ME
    2. Ryan N., CA
       

     

    Target/Amazon gift card winners

    1. Grace A., NV
    2. Dodi B., SD
    3. Christy G., UT
    4. Samantha H., IL
    5. Holly H., TN
    6. Shelley H., CA
    7. Lindsay K., IL
    8. Kaelee M., OH
    9. Cynthia M., TX
    10. Lania P., CA

  • Week 4 winners
    Announced Aug. 28, 2026

    Coffee gift cards

    1. Erin J., TX 
    2. Erika S., LA

    Target/Amazon gift card winners

    1. Hannah A., MO
    2. Cindy C., LA
    3. Kathleen F., MA
    4. Valerie F., MN
    5. Tammy J., MO
    6. Mary M., NM
    7. Susan R., TX
    8. Janeece V., CT
    9. Maria V., MA

  • Week 5 winners
    Announced Sept 4, 2026

    Coffee gift cards

    1. Joe J., NV
    2. Jennifer L., IL
       

    Target/Amazon gift card winners

    1. Jean A., MN
    2. Clara A., NC
    3. Justin B., IL
    4. Rachael C., CT
    5. John C., WA
    6. Taunja L., IL
    7. Alyce M., NV
    8. Tonia P., TX
    9. Kristen S., IL
    10. Meg U., IN

  • $1,500 welcome-back celebrations for 20 schools

    1. Battle Ground Academy, TN
    2. Billerica Memorial High School, MA
    3. Blanding Elementary School, UT
    4. Brown County Elementary, IL
    5. Fain Elementary, TX
    6. Fairview Elementary, IL
    7. Franklinton Primary School, LA
    8. I3 Academy, AL
    9. Indianapolis Public School District, IN
    10. Jefferson Intermediate, IA
    11. Junction City, OH
    12. Macomb Middle School, IL
    13. Marquette High School, MO
    14. Orange Glen High, CA
    15. Price-Harris Communications Magnet Elementary School, KS
    16. Rooney Elementary, IL
    17. Sonoma Ranch Elementary, AZ
    18. Swift Elementary, TX
    19. West Craven High School, NC
    20. William Ellery Channing Elementary, MA

  • $25,000 classroom makeover grand prize

    Erin Jewell, library media specialist at Griffin Middle School in The Colony, Texas.