The Extra Yard, February 2023

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION

FEBRUARY 2023

NEWSLETTER

GROWING TOGETHER

Educators Celebrated and Given Support at the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit in LA

BY SACHA TERRILL

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o many of us can name a teacher who played a before the 2023 College Football Playoff National starring role in our lives as mentor, motivator, Championship. Just yards away in the same building, inspiration, or key in helping us see our potential. hundreds of teachers gathered to celebrate each John Urschel, former Penn State and Baltimore other — and be celebrated — at the Extra Yard for Ravens offensive lineman and now an accomplished Teachers Summit. The College Football Playoff (CFP) mathematician and assistant Foundation hosted the free professor at MIT, smiles when he professional development summit thinks about the teachers who for local teachers (as well as helped shape his world. virtually nationwide), complete with “I had a few teachers in high speakers, interactive panels, mini school who really made a difference workshops, and celebrity hosts — for me and made me realize just all focused on supporting teachers how much I love math, just how and education. much I love physics, just how much “We appreciate the College I could do with that,” said Urschel, Football Playoff Foundation and who won the William Campbell everyone involved that make Trophy, given to the college football summits like this happen. Being player with the best combination of recognized and supported is JOHN URSCHEL academics, community service, and important. Teachers often do not on-field performance. get the recognition we deserve, “It only takes one teacher to believe in you and to and the recognition does matter as it supports, support you to succeed.” validates, and encourages us to continue doing what Urschel was a member of a special panel that we do best: engaging and enriching students’ lives,” discussed teachers and education at Playoff Fan Central said Alma Ricarte, a K-2 teacher in Los Angeles for at the Los Angeles Convention Center the weekend nearly 30 years.

It only takes one teacher to believe in you and to support you to succeed.

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KINDRED SPIRITS: Teachers in LA gathered for the 2023 Extra Yard for Teachers Summit.

“We are not only educators, but also do the jobs of a social worker, psychologist, counselor, nurse and many more. As a primary school teacher, it is our job to get our students ready for a successful educational career.

We prepare them for the next 10-15 years of their education where they learn to sit and listen critically, they learn to follow rules and directions. They learn how to form healthy connections with friends and adults. They learn to build resiliency and persevere.”

U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, the U.S. National Teacher of the Year, and select state Teachers of the Year were on hand at the summit to recognize the dedication and hard work of teachers like Ricarte.

Cardona, who began his career as a fourth-grade teacher, quickly connected with the crowd of educators.

“Today we’re here to celebrate you,” said Cardona.

“I appreciate you not only as a U.S. Secretary but as a lifelong educator and a father. I know the pressure and

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ESPN’s Elle Duncan and actor William Stanford Davis from ABC’s Abbott Elementary cast discussed the important role educators have in teaching kindness within school environments.

I know every day is harder, every year is harder. You grind and you always put so much effort into the world.

Thank you, I appreciate you! We’re working hard in D.C. to have your back.”

Cardona’s admiration for teachers was apparent as he greeted them and took time to listen to their challenges and answer their questions during the session.

“Teachers are all about the relationships and helping our students reach their potential,” he said. “But across the nation there is an attack on educators. There is a lack of respect for the profession. When we talk about teacher shortages, those are symptoms of that lack of respect. If we don’t change that now, we’ll suffer and the next generation of students will suffer.”

The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional

development, recruitment and retention. It’s all tied to the College Football Playoff, and its philanthropic effort through the CFP Foundation.

As always, the 2023 Extra Yard for Teacher Summit was completely about teachers and giving them words of wisdom, motivation, and real information to help them grow in their profession. LA Unified School District (LAUSD) put on four ancillary roundtable sessions at the Summit, each created as focus groups on specific topics. (Read more about these roundtables in subsequent pages).

In eight years, the CFP Foundation has supported more than 450,000 teachers nationwide, leading to more positive student outcomes for more than 9.2 million students. Its Extra Yard for Teachers recognition and resources initiative has collectively invested more than $57 million in support of education.

“Our teachers will set up the next generation of thinkers and problem-solvers in this country,” Urschel said.

“We’ll only be as successful as our teachers are, so we need to show them our support [through programs like Extra Yard for Teachers]. A way to do that is by using the resources and power of college football to make a positive difference in the lives of teachers everywhere in the hope that every student has a great teacher to support their learning.”

WATCH WHAT HAPPENS L!VE WITH ANDY COHEN REGARDING HIS FAVORITE TEACHER / EDUCATOR “I had a vice principal in high school named Doris Randolph, who was an incredible woman and we always had a great relationship.

In my final year of high school, she got me an internship at a local CBS affiliate in St. Louis, where I’m from. I was the youngest intern they had ever had, and that internship launched my entire TV career. And it was Doris who really taught me how to reach for the stars, dream big and that anything was possible.”

“A few years after I graduated, sadly Ms. Randolph died of cancer, and I never got to thank her for all she did for me. It’s something I think about all the time because she really had a profound effect on me. So thank your educators and give them a hug!

Our educators make us who we are today.”

Sacha Terrill is a former writer for The Daily Breeze in Los Angeles, and has covered sports and news for nearly two decades.

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EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS SUMMIT ROUNDTABLES Made possible by LA Unified School District

LAUSD EDUCATORS OF TOMORROW LUNCHEON A gathering of over 100 LA Unified high school junior and senior year students who are on track to enter the education profession gathered for an inspirational lunch and a workshop that included speakers (Dr. Miguel Cardona, Alberto Carvalho, Sharif El-Mekki, and State Teacher of Year Reps). The students were celebrated, reinforcing the importance of their decision to become a teacher and the influence they will have on the next generation.

“We were very pleased that we were able to bring together a group of our future teachers to share a meal and hear from inspirational educators about their experiences, and what drives them to make educating our youth their life’s work,” said Director of LA Unified Certificated Workforce Management Bryan M. Johnson, Ed.D. “It was awesome to have Secretary Cardona and our own Superintendent Carvalho in attendance as well, and for our students/future teachers to make personal connections with these dynamic leaders. LA Unified is grateful to our friends at the College Football Playoff Foundation and Get Your Teach On for providing this opportunity to our Educators of Tomorrow.”

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Naomi O’Brien with Get Your Teach On gave some added motivation to LA Unified high school students who have an interest in the teaching profession at the Educators of Tomorrow luncheon.

CHOOSE KINDNESS FOCUS GROUP The Choose Kindness Project is an alliance of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations that champion three major issue areas affecting children and teens: bullying prevention, intentional inclusion and youth mental wellness. Guided by the 20+ members of the alliance and supported by ABC, ESPN, the CFP Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation, the Choose Kindness Project is dedicated to inspiring a more inclusive world where all young people feel empowered to be themselves and feel safe to create the futures they imagine. A group of leaders was gathered together which included teachers, district administrators, counselors and principals for a focus group on what kinds of tools the choose kindness project can help provide to make a difference in school environments.

PRINCIPALS FORUM FOR RETENTION In a CCSSO, CFPF and NASSP sponsored discussion on teacher retention, US Secretary Cardona heard from both State Teachers of the Year and State Principals of the Year. The strong message came with a sense of urgency for systemic change that disrupts education and makes teaching a sustainable career. This is a national crisis that cannot be solved with superficial solutions.

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VISIT TO ROYBAL SCHOOL CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky joined the second gentleman of the United States Doug Emoff, Secretary Cardona and LAUSD Superintendent Carvalho for a visit to the newly-opened Roybal Film and Television Magnet School. The school mission is focused on building a more inclusive pipeline of historically underrepresented, college and career-ready students interested in film and television. It is funded through both public and private resources, and enjoys the support from numerous celebrities in the entertainment industry including George Clooney (actor producer, director), Mindy Kaling (actor, producer, director, author), and Don Cheadle (actor, producer, activist). The school provides students with a foundational understanding of the media and entertainment industry while preparing them for below-theline professions.

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The Roybal Film and Television Magnet School focuses on inclusivity for students interested in film and television.

EDUCATORS HONORED “Champions Educate Here” Legacy Program in LA

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s part of the 2023 CFP National Championship, the CFP Foundation, the LA CFP National Championship Host Committee, the LA84 Foundation and the Play Equity Fund announced 20 additional educators who were selected as part of the “Champions Educate Here” legacy program. The program was established to shine the spotlight of the CFP National Championship on the impactful work of 46 local educators and provide CHAMPIONS EDUCATE HERE: Recognizing fantastic educators funding and support for their in Los Angeles as part of the 2023 CFP National Championship. programs aimed at nurturing the academic, mental health, and social-emotional needs of The reach and impact of the “Champions students through sport, play, and movement.

Educate Here” program is significant, with The “Champions Educate Here” legacy program the 46 educators recognized from 12 school initially identified 26 educators in September 2022 districts across Los Angeles, as well as parochial and honored the final 20 educators in the concluding schools. The Champion Educators serve students round of the program. The selected educators from TK/Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle include physical education teachers, elementary School and High School. All 46 educators and special education teachers, coaches, and afterin the “Champions Educate Here” legacy school staff throughout the Los Angeles region. program were acknowledged at the Jimmy Each selected educator received up to $20,000 to Kimmel LA Bowl in December and participated expand their efforts at their respective schools. in championship weekend activities.

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MORNINGSIDE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS SURPRISED WITH NEW ESPORTS LAB

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he College Football Playoff Foundation and 2023 College Football Playoff Los Angeles Host Committee unveiled a new learning lab to support teachers with education resources investments. It came in the form of a new eSports Lab at Morningside High School in Inglewood, Calif. The new learning lab, designed by School Specialty, features new technology and resources, including new gaming stations, a judges’ station, viewing areas for spectators and a teaching area.

“Our kids are on the cutting edge of things but they don’t have access to these technologies and to these programs,” said Dr. Kiwiana Cain, principal of Morningside High School. “This is the first step towards that for this school and this community. This

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is a huge moment. We’re going to do everything in our power to make sure that our students have more opportunities and this new eSPorts lab opens up so many opportunities.”

Morningside High School’s new eSports lab is one of many t u o Los Angelesab This room is college. area Extra Yard s to Makeovers in the scholarship ers that we re a c t u o works through b a It’s , that e in g a im n e November 2023. can’t ev t that our u b , The project is w o n t g in don’t exis g a g n e part of the CFP e b ill students w uture.

Foundation’s in the f mission to uplift CAS ETTE LU D teachers grades K-12 A N R E DR. B and its commitment to make a significant investment in educator resources in the host community of the 2023 national championship game.

“This room is preparing our students for degrees associated with eSports,” said Dr. Bernadette Lucas,

LEARNING LAB: The Morningside High School eSports Lab is the first time the CFP Foundation has implemented an eSports learning technology center as part of the Extra Yard Makeover initiative.

Inglewood USD chief academic officer. “This room is about scholarships to college. It’s about careers that we can’t even imagine, that don’t exist now, but that our students will be engaging in the future.”

The CFP Foundation and the Los Angeles Host Committee are dedicated to supporting educators across Southern California. Providing teachers, coaches, classrooms and schools with quality resources that provide excellent learning environments is one of the many ways the CFP Foundation uplifts and empowers teachers. Research shows students participating in eSports programs learn teamwork and collaboration, while building STEM, interpersonal communications, technical and business skills. The CFP Foundation’s education partners, including School Specialty, ensure that the resources are used to provide what teachers need to prepare their students for success.

Morningside High School’s new eSports lab is one of many Los Angeles-area Extra Yard Makeovers in the works through November 2023.

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ESPN’S MARTY SMITH AND KIRK HERBSTREIT TEAMED UP WITH ECKRICH® TO EARN $500,000 FOR EXTRA YARD FOR TEACHERS

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SPN’s Marty Smith and Kirk Herbstreit took across the country for their honest work and tireless center stage outside SoFi Stadium at the CFP commitment to ensure their students have the tools National Championship on January 9 where Smith to succeed. Throughout the season, fans nominated participated in the Eckrich their favorite educators $1 Million Challenge in to participate in the $1 support of classroom Million Challenge for a resource projects chance to win a donation across the nation, while in support of classroom Herbstreit coached and resource projects. supported Smith.

Although there wasn’t a Smith successfully winning throw this season, made the winning 15-yard Eckrich recognized the throw, resulting in a six selected teachers donation of $500,000 for their dedication and from Eckrich to the commitment to their CFP Foundation and its communities by providing Extra Yard for Teachers $2,500 to the CFP initiative.

Foundation at each local For the fourth game, as well as $500 in BETHANY GURECK consecutive year, groceries to participating Eckrich — the Official teachers.

Smoked Sausage and Deli Meat Sponsor of CFP — “Working with Extra Yard for Teachers for another joined with the CFP Foundation to celebrate educators year has allowed us to further expand on our goal

Working with Extra Yard for Teachers for another year has allowed us to further expand on our goal to give back and share our appreciation to those dedicated educators.

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VALUED PARTNERS: Take a peek into the partnership between Smithfield Foods and the College Football Playoff Foundation to support teachers across the country!

to give back and share our appreciation to those dedicated educators,” said Bethany Gurecki, senior brand manager for Eckrich at Smithfield Foods.

“Thank you, again, Kirk and Marty for your continuous participation in our annual $1 Million Challenge and congratulations to Marty for making the throw for a $500K donation.”

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GO TEACH IMPACTING FUTURE TEACHERS Student-Athletes are Great Candidates for Quality Educators

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hanks to the Go Teach initiative, the CFP Foundation Former Baltimore Raven and Penn State offensive works with conferences, colleges and other lineman John Urschel spoke at a CFP Foundation panel partners to raise the profile of student-athletes who during championship week at Playoff Fan Central in are teachers or are on the path to become teachers.

LA on the natural value that athletes can bring to the This year, in partnership with Meta, teaching profession.

30 female student-athletes used “I think the team experience their personal platform to recognize is huge for student-athletes,” great teachers that helped them get Urschel said. “I’m a former athlete to where they are today and raised but I’m also a teacher — I’m a funds to further support the CFP math professor — and when you Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers are in the classroom and you’re and Go Teach efforts. responsible for educating others University of Illinois sophomore it’s important for you to see this soccer player Syd Stephens attended group of young people as your the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit in team. You have to lead them, you LA. Stephens not only raised the most have to set the right direction, you JOHN URSCHEL money during a special NIL empower have to tell them what they need challenge earlier this year, she also is to hear at the right time. You also becoming a teacher. The CFP Foundation congratulated need to look at the team, look at their characteristics and honored Stephens on stage, as she is one of this and adapt to them. Figure out to lead that team while year’s Dr Pepper Go Teach Tuition Assistance winners also listening to their needs. I think there’s nothing (among hundreds of student-athletes awarded tuition better than sports to prepare you for being with a grants). Student-athletes make great teachers and we know group of people and being able to lead a team and be Stephens’ future students will be very fortunate to have her. successful and try to win.”

You have to lead them, you have to set the right direction, you have to tell them what they need to hear at the right time.

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JANUARY 2023 HONOREE

A ns tephe Syd S of 30 is one thletes nt-a u t s de ave back o h w g Teach. to Go

Isai German

t Brawerman East, a close-knit Jewish elementary school in Los Angeles, Isai German encourages his students to follow a Shabbat teaching and share their light with the world.

And while Brawerman East is on the campus of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, the oldest Jewish congregation in Los Angeles. German himself isn’t Jewish. The son of Mexican immigrants, German was raised Christian and attended public schools in Bakersfield 100 miles north of Los Angeles.

“Not only do I think it’s important, I think it’s essential,” Rabbi Steve Leder, the senior Rabbi at Wilshire Boulevard Temple, said of German’s background. “None of us live in the world alone.

We all share it. He’s a great example of bridge building, and God knows we need more of that.”

German teaches two subjects at the school: Innovation and Science. His Innovation classes combine coding, artificial intelligence, and robotics with real-world problem solving.

His classroom resembles a high school shop class, with drills, levels, hammers, and pliers are stored along one wall and jars of nails and screws sit on counters. There are hand saws of all sizes and two power saws. His students use them all.

German incorporates pragmatic problem-solving by having older students canvass teachers throughout the school for needs and constructing the necessary products to help.

With German, their imaginations run wild in the physical and digital worlds.

“He allows the kids to fail safely,” said the mother of one of his students. “If you don’t fail, you’re doing something wrong.”

To read more about German, visit honored.org.

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THANK YOU

TO OUR PARTNERS FOR GOING THE EXTRA YARD TO MAKE EDUCATORS FEEL APPRECIATED

GOOD EAT

Attendee Swag!

pecialty School S s with attendee provided rded t and awa a free gif rs to educato gift cards in ance both in attend . d virtually person an

VIRTUAL STREAM

AT&T sponsored the virtual stream of the 2023 Extra Yard for Teachers Summit

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Good eats from Chick-fil-A all weekend made the day!

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CLASS

Recognizing Educators

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on s Activati ESPN Bu nize g o ns to rec invited fa to and educators nds for fu e help rais s resource classroom s le e s Ang within Lo ols. c s area ho

Fans who purchased CFP official merchandise were also supporting the CFP Foundation.

All proceeds benefit the College Football Playoff Foundation and its Extra Yard for Teachers initiative.

Modelo spirits were enjoyed at all of the Eckrich Teacher of the Year Experience events.

S CONGRAT

NIKE Gift Card Giveaways at the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit were a big hit!

Coldages Bever

!

No college football event is complete without Dr Pepper.

THANKS!

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