Char-Em Board of Education meets the EJ Shoe Club!

The Char-Em ISD Board of Education held its regular November meeting at East Jordan Middle High School on Nov. 17, 2025, where members enjoyed a presentation by the Shoe Club, a club for 7th and 8th graders that is skyrocketing in recognition for its efforts to instill motivation, self-worth, empathy, and teamwork. The Shoe Club is making its way onto the national radar with media attention and requests from other districts to start their own Shoe Clubs. 

“Our mission is to empower young students to recognize their value, unlock their potential, and foster a generation of compassionate, courageous, and confident leaders,” Matt Hamilton, EJ teacher and Shoe Club founder, told the board members.

In order to become a member of the club, students must read the book “Value Up” and write a short paper about what they learned. The club is open to any student at East Jordan Middle School, and presents an opportunity for those who might not be otherwise involved in sports or extracurriculars to be part of a club to call their own. 

In his classroom, the Shoe Club has established a Shoe Museum with dozens of shoes from celebrities and famous achievers, ranging from Dolly Parton to Miley Cyrus, to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. The inventor of the cellphone, Martin Cooper, donated a pair of shoes, as did Ann Bancroft, the first woman to walk across Antarctica. Even Jane Goodall, notorious for her thrift and simple living, provided a pair of her well-worn shoes to the club.

The connection to shoes is simple, but profound: Put yourself in someone else’s shoes, and learn their story – which Shoe Club members do about each person who donates. 

Plans are now in the works for “Shoe Club Nation,” in response to an outpouring of interest for replicating the club’s model in other districts. “Sports Illustrated Kids” is featuring the club in an upcoming issue, and local media like 9&10 News continue to cover its impact. This Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, a cleat designed by the Shoe Club members, at the invitation of Detroit Lions’ player Amon-Ra St. Brown and his foundation, will be worn by the star wide receiver in their home game against the New York Giants. 

Hamilton is working closely with Geoff Nelson, producer/director of the popular television show “Home Improvement,” on creating media pieces for the eventual rise of “Shoe Club Nation.” Nelson also serves as a mentor to the club. 

Char-Em ISD Board of Education members were grateful for the opportunity to hear from Hamilton and several of his students, pictured here. The board hopes to hold a meeting in a different location about once a school year to continue learning first-hand about the amazing things happening in local school districts, like the Shoe Club. 

Learn about the Shoe Club and view its online Shoe Museum at https://www.shoeclub.org/.