ST. PAUL — Brooklyn Roberts was excited to shop for her students.

She ended up getting school supplies and a whole lot more.

Roberts, who teaches at Washington Technology High School, arrived at Kids in Need Foundation last Tuesday and was greeted by Vikings players, Minnesota Vikings Cheerleaders and the Vikings SKOL Line.

"This is amazing," she said, smiling. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, I came here for a backpack.'"

Roberts teaches ninth- and 10^th-grade special education classes, and some of her students' families are unable to afford all the necessary school supplies. Kids in Need helps local educators supplement their classrooms without reaching into their own pockets — something entirely all too common for teachers.

"Kids in Need providing this is huge. Students don't want to feel like they're missing out on anything, or to have to ask or feel belittled," Roberts explained. "They want to feel like other kids and be able to have basic school supplies and not have to think about if their parents can afford it, or any other struggles that may be going on at home.

"It eases some of the stress on them," she added. "The financial part of it for me is huge, too, but I would still spend the money on them if I had to. They all deserve a quality education."

During the week of Sept. 8, the Vikings and Pepsi teamed up with Kids in Need to celebrate educators across the Twin Cities.

Roberts on Tuesday was assisted during her shopping trip by Vikings running back Jordan Mason, who casually strolled the aisles and shared his own education experiences with her, joking he may have been relatable to some of her lesser-behaved students.

Mason thanked Roberts for being committed to her students, and his teammates expressed similar gratitude to the teachers they shopped with. Adam Thielen, C.J. Ham, Bo Richter, Walter Rouse and Henry Byrd all enjoyed the opportunity to make an impact.

"The Vikings do a great job of organizing these events and doing things for a great cause," said Thielen, who brought along his 8-year-old son, Asher. "A lot of these teachers have been spending out of pocket, so to be able to get some resources is awesome."

Kids in Need's Rashelle Oxborough noted the nonprofit's expanded teacher resource center, which now is working to serve 15,000 local educators in contrast to the 5,000 its previous facility served.

"Every teacher supported is an entire classroom of students supported," Oxborough said. "We know that when students have all the essential resources and supplies they need, we see significant positive ripple effects in their class participation, their confidence, their engagement, their learning and even the way they connect with their peers.

"It completely transforms the classroom," Oxborough added. "It allows students to do their best, and it allows teachers to do their best. So, we're just really grateful for the support of the Vikings and Pepsi, because they are critical in keeping this support hub available for our team."

Byrd has seen firsthand the sacrifices teachers make, as both of his girlfriend's parents are educators, and he embraced the chance to spend an afternoon saying "thank you" and helping teachers stock up on chapter books, coloring supplies and other items.

"I know how dedicated teachers are," Byrd said, "and for an organization like this that is willing to bridge that gap for them, take that financial stress off them, have it all in one place like this, it's really important. It makes their lives so much easier and allows them to focus solely on teaching.

"I think if you talk to a bunch of guys on the team, they probably at some point had a teacher that just means the world to them," added Byrd. "I had a bunch of history teachers at Ensworth Middle School — Mr. Hopkins and Mr. Mason in particular — whom I really credit to kind of shaping me into the person I am today. Kind of how I take responsibility and like to look at the world and be curious, all of that. So, it's a really important profession and something that's not valued enough."

Roberts knew from a young age she wanted to be a teacher. She looked up to her grandmother, who worked as a paraprofessional with adults and young people with disabilities, and she felt that same tug on her heart.

"It just never changed. It was always what I wanted to do," Roberts said. "It's what I'm meant to do. I haven't thought about anything else since."

The Vikings also have been a lifelong passion for Roberts, who was thrilled to meet the players she watches every Sunday.

"Honestly, [we were able to connect with each other] on a lot," she said. "As teachers, I think we made a big difference, and I know a lot of people value us, but I think our day-to-day, just like these guys' schedules are very demanding, ours are too. It's nice to feel there's a community [wrapping] around us."

After she and Mason had finished filling her cart with necessities, she asked the running back if he might be willing to autograph her reusable water bottle.

Mason agreed, then told Roberts he was going to find a metallic marker for the bottle's black surface. He came back with one more surprise up his sleeve, however.

Instead of a marker, Mason showed up with an oversized ticket to the Vikings home opener against Atlanta.

Roberts' face said it all.

"What?!" She shrieked. "Are you serious?"

Mason was quite serious. He smiled and offered Roberts a hug, inviting her and a guest to the Sunday Night Football game.

"I was just blown away. This will be something I'll never forget," said Roberts, still beaming. "It was amazing. And being able to go out and do something [away from] work, going out and doing something I absolutely love and cheering on my team, it's so, so great."

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