About Corda Teacher Store

Our Story

Corda Teacher Store was created out of a deep commitment to educators and a belief that strong communities begin in the classroom. Through strong partnerships and community support, Corda Teacher Store continues to grow, ensuring educators have the tools they need to focus on what matters most: their students.

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Our Beginning

In 2008, historic flooding devastated Cedar Rapids and surrounding areas, leaving many schools rebuilding with limited resources. In response, the vision for what would become Corda Teacher Store took shape with a focus on supporting educators when classroom funding falls short.

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By 2009, Corda Teacher Store was fully operational with the support from Corda Credit Union. Its purpose was twofold: to give back to the education community and to honor Corda’s roots, which trace back to 11 Cedar Rapids school teachers, who originally founded the credit union.

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From the beginning, Corda Teacher Store has helped bridge the resource gap between what schools and families can provide and what students need to succeed, ensuring educators have access to essential supplies without personal financial burden.

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Our Growth

For nearly a decade, Corda Teacher Store operated from its downtown Cedar Rapids location. In 2018, after the building sustained structural damage, the organization reimagined how it could best meet educators where they are. This led to the launch of a mobile store, delivering supplies directly to schools and expanding services to surrounding counties.

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In August 2024, Corda Teacher Store expanded with the addition of a dedicated space in Hiawatha. This location provides year-round access to essential classroom supplies while continuing mobile outreach, which allows Corda Teacher Store to serve more educators and reach additional communities throughout the school year.

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What began as a response to crisis has become a long-term commitment: one grounded in showing up for educators, strengthening classrooms, and investing in the future of our communities.