John Legend Shares Why Great Teachers and Volunteers Are a 'Big Part' of His Family's Village (Exclusive)

• John Legend is partnering with Box Tops to help fundraise for schools and celebrate legendary teachers
• Legend tells PEOPLE that he's also getting ready for the back-to-school season with his four kids — Wren Alexander, 13 months, Esti Maxine, 18 months, Miles, 6, and Luna, 8
• The father of four opens up to PEOPLE about what his kids are excited to learn and why the members of their school community mean so much to them
  

John Legend is helping celebrate legendary teachers across the country this back-to-school season.

Speaking with PEOPLE about his partnership with Box Tops for Education to celebrate great teachers and encourage families to support their schools and give back with the Box Tops app, the 45-year-old EGOT winner and father of four praised the change to help schools "offer more great services for their kids."

"This is all about celebrating great teachers, but also about helping support the schools they work at with fundraising. It gives them an extra opportunity to provide more for their community and gives people an easy way to help out their schools."

The members of his kids' school communities are valued by Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen.

"I think everybody needs help and teachers are a big part of that. All the other volunteers at the school are so important, as well. Parents volunteer their time to coach. So many people pitch in and get involved in our kids' lives," he says.

"Luna is in musical theater at school and Miles does a lot of sports. The people who volunteer to help them with that, and there are always so many, are wonderful to see. There are so many people willing to give some of their time to help kids grow and learn. Our kids really appreciate it, and we do too."

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When it comes to starting a new school year, Legend feels his older pair, like many kids, waffle between excitement and indifference.

"Sometimes they're excited about school. Sometimes, they're not. But my kids do really love their school. They love being around their classmates. They go to a school that really encourages them to be creative. Luna especially, she's really into creativity. She loves to paint and draw and build and create, and the school really encourages that. So I'm always excited for them to go back because they come home with so many cool projects."

In addition to Miles, 6, and Luna, 8, the couple is also parents to a pair of toddlers — Wren Alexander, 13 months, and daughter Esti Maxine, 18 months.

The younger Stephens kids have recently discovered that "they really love music."

"Esti goes to daycare for a bit to socialize with other kids. Wren's still a little too young, but we've found they love music. We do a little music class at our house with other kids their age. So it's like a bunch of 1-year-olds and in a room banging on little percussion instruments and singing along with their teachers. It's pretty cool to watch. They're really into music right now and just exploring. There's so much for them to learn and explore and the world's kind of opening up to them now."

This time of year was always quite special to Legend, who says he was "quite a nerd" growing up.

"As a kid, I loved school, I loved reading, and I just loved engaging with learning. It was always great teachers who really made me want to engage. They were so creative and really good at making kids see the connection between education and life," he shares.

"I love celebrating great teachers because they really did make a big difference in my life and through my partnership with Box Tops for Education, we can celebrate the legendary teachers in all our lives with a program and app that make it as easy as possible to give back to educators and earn cash for schools. It takes a village to support our teachers and I’m very grateful to give back this back-to-school season with Box Tops for Education."

As part of the partnership, Legend visited Westport Heights Elementary School in Los Angeles, a Title 1 school that receives federal funding to support the academic achievement of low-income students.

With the $30,000 from Box Tops and Legend, Westport Heights plans to develop an outdoor space for students to learn about environmental science. Box Tops for Education will also provide nine additional schools in need across the country with $30,000.

“I recently had the heartwarming opportunity to meet inspiring educators from Westport Heights Elementary School, right in my backyard of Los Angeles. I was thrilled to help Box Tops award $30,000 to support their school’s new outdoor space, and I’ve seen it for myself – downloading the Box Tops app is one of the easiest ways for families to show support to educators who are making a difference in our communities,” Legend says.

Those who want to celebrate their school community can download the Box Tops app and support the Legendary teachers they admire most. Simply scan receipts when buying your favorite Box Tops participating products.

"Box Tops for Education has always believed that a child’s education is the foundation to achieving their fullest potential. Teachers are an essential part of that, creating positive learning environments for students that foster constant growth, collaboration and empathy," says Lilly Moeding, Box Tops for Education Brand Experience Manager.

"We all have that one (or few) special teacher(s) in our lives who made us believe we could do anything we set our minds to, and we hope families will be inspired to support those Legendary Teachers in their lives through Box Tops, both this Back-to-School season and year-round for all that they do."