Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) teachers were surprised Friday when they were presented with gift cards from Kohl's.

CBS 58 News at Walt Whitman Elementary School when a special presentation brought some teachers to tears at the students cheered them on.

"This is where we live and work and got out start," explained Tara Geiter of  Kohl's. "So we feel we owe great gratitude to this community."

The gift cards will help teachers fund classroom essentials they might otherwise purchase with money from their own pockets.

From art supplies to notebooks, pencils and even clothing for students, the donation will allow teachers to select the most needed items for their classrooms to ensure their students have everything they need to be successful in the classroom.

In total, Kohl's handed out $50,000 worth of gift cards to dozens of MPS teachers at eight different schools.

"26 years is a long time and to be acknowledged for that is wonderful," said First Grade Teacher Sally Krueger. "And its a great opportunity for our kids."