The Extra Yard, March 2021

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION

MARCH 2021

NEWSLETTER

Indiana eLearning Lab Already Making a Difference for Teachers

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Camp umbrella, which focuses on the core pillar of professional development for teachers.

The Indiana eLearning Lab provides valuable tutorials and training for teachers, districts and schools EMPOWERING (both public and private YOUTH alike) looking to improve The priority for their ability to deliver teachers is to engaging instruction in a inspire their students and give digital environment. The them the tools to content was developed succeed. to accommodate a diverse set of teachers, students and families across Indiana and was designed to help ensure that teachers have the support they need. learning environment. With model Access to this platform ensures lesson plan ideas, communities of that all students, regardless of practice and online tech support, income, race, geography or other the Indiana eLearning Lab includes characteristics, have the resources the learning and support that will needed to succeed in a remote help educators learn more about

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he 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship will be in Indianapolis next January. As part of the host city’s community engagement, the Indianapolis 2022 Host Committee has already committed to invest $1.5 million in legacy programs that support the CFP Foundation’s mission to uplift teachers grades K-12. This includes the Indiana eLearning Lab, a dynamic, virtual hub for educators across the state to access teaching content, share best practices for eLearning, find community and grow professionally. The Indiana eLearning Lab is a part of the Extra Yard for Teachers Training

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new digital resources. The Lab will also provide support and resources for parents and caregivers seeking support to help their students successfully participate in eLearning.

As educators, we understand the power of community and collaboration in education because we are better together.

AMANDA MOORE 4TH GRADE TEACHER

“As educators, we understand the power of community and collaboration in education because we are better together,” said 4th grade Indiana teacher Amanda Moore. “The Indiana eLearning Lab provides an encouraging community to learn and grow alongside coupled with the support, resources, and training teachers are looking for.”

Thanks to a generous donation from the Indianapolis e-Learning Fund and the CFP Foundation, the Indiana eLearning Lab is free to all Indiana educators and parents/guardians through the 2020-21 school year. All partners are working to secure support to sustain the Lab at no cost to educators beyond the current academic calendar.

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resources,” said Indianapolis charter school teacher The pandemic David McGuire. “The eLearning Lab is has taught us about collaboration many lessons, and sharing and the one of which power of what we can is about the accomplish if we all work together.” importance of working together The Lab is a living, and sharing resources. breathing platform that will evolve as DAVID M c GUIRE more teachers use it.

INDIANAPOLIS CHARTER SCHOOL TEACHER They are encouraged “The pandemic has taught to come back often to find new, us many lessons, one of which personalized resources. Technical is about the importance of assistance and other resources working together and sharing are also available for parents,

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS APRIL 6 EDPUZZLE

Edpuzzle’s capabilities to engage students with interactive online videos will be highlighted in this tool spotlight. Teachers can join this workshop to learn how to utilize the Edpuzzle channel to leverage premade videos for their learners.

APRIL 7 FLIPGRID GRIDPALS

Flipgrid Gridpals can be used to make connections and create meaningful learning experiences around the globe. Teachers are invited to join in the discussion around the implementation of GridPals for learners.

Register Now

guardians and caregivers seeking help on issues such as how to use eLearning tools such as Zoom or Google classroom and how to best support younger students as they participate in eLearning from home.

Teachers can learn more and register at inelearninglab.com.

Follow the Lab on social media @INeLearningLab.

MARCH 2021 HONOREE

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Julia Balsam

issing from most of the headlines about education during this profoundly difficult pandemic year are the success stories, such as the one about how a new kid at Tulip Grove Elementary School in Bowie, Maryland. A bright-eyed, mathloving computer whiz named David Coutourier is thriving and learning, thanks to his thirdgrade teacher, Julia Balsam.

“She’s funny, and she always explains everything that seems confusing,” said David.

David’s mother was worried about transitioning her son to a new school.

“This pandemic has been very hard,” she said. “But David being in Ms. Balsam’s class is one of the highlights of the year.”

Balsam’s teaching style was upended by virtual schooling.

“My biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to make those personal connections with students through Zoom,” said Balsam.

“To compensate, she came up with a lot of ice breaker activities, created opportunities for them to socialize, and made an effort to be sure the kids saw her classroom as a safe space.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised that we’re still able to get to know each other,” she said. “I can still feel their energy through the screen, and they can hopefully feel mine, too.”

But even for a young, buoyant educator, this has still been a challenge.

“I’ve had to rev it up almost a hundred percent with my enthusiasm and engagement,” she said.

For students like David, however, that extra effort makes all the difference.

Read Julia Balsam’s full story at honored.org.

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GROWING IMPACTFUL LEADERS

CFP Foundation Supports the Principal Collaborative, a New Schools for New Orleans Program to Cultivate Internal Leadership

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t’s been one year since the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers and the Allstate Sugar Bowl collaborated to support the creation of a New Schools for New Orleans program to develop and grow school leaders. It included the creation of the Principal Collaborative, an opportunity for school leaders to have access to tools and best practices to ensure their schools and stakeholders are well set for new leadership. This program is as part of the CFP Foundation’s continued commitment to the community of New Orleans after the 2020 CFP National Championship.

EXERCISING BEST PRACTICES New Schools for New Orleans is focused on creating quality leadership for their schools, now and in the future.

enter their roles already having the recipes for student and school success and to drive this achievement with minimal support.

In truth, they We’re incredibly need effective grateful for the CFP management Foundation supporting tools just like the creation of the any other professional Principal Collaborative in New Orleans. position. It is the responsibility ALEX JARRELL, CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER, NEW SCHOOLS FOR NEW ORLEANS of school board chairs, For too many years, new school charter management organization leaders have been expected to leaders, and principal managers

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to safeguard these supportive provisions for the leaders they oversee.

Many understand that these types of structures are necessary for preparation as educators move up the ladder. And yet, consistently, school leaders have been clear that these are not happening. In fact, 45% of school leaders feel that their managers are not working hard to retain them.

A clear checklist of best practices has been created to ensure a successful path for leadership transition. This includes weekly check-ins with principals, scheduled principal forums for

peer information sharing, touring other schools, and giving more personal time off. There is also a focus on providing one-on-one coaching in the first two years of leadership, as well as creating a specific succession plan at each school that is revised annually.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the CFP Foundation supporting the creation of the Principal Collaborative in New Orleans,” said Alex Jarrell, chief innovation officer at New Schools for New Orleans.

“Our principals now have the opportunity to showcase their work and learn from each other.”

This past January, New Orleans principals came together to share best practices around teacher retention. The Collaborative highlighted principals who have succeeded in retaining their great teachers.

“The entire principal community walked away with concrete strategies and resources that they could bring back to their schools and teachers,” said Jarrell.

The continued investment is an extension of the host city effort that continues years after the CFP National Championship has come and gone.

“We’re committed to making a difference for teachers in the host city community, not only during the year of their respective game, but well after it has been played,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “We’re proud to stand with the Allstate Sugar Bowl and support NOLA Public Schools’ efforts for their school leaders.

We’d like to thank all of them for their leadership during this challenging pandemic.”

TEACH INDY EDUCATORS CONFERENCE

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egistration is now open for the inaugural 2021 Teach Indy Educators Conference, presented by The Mind Trust. The free virtual conference will run April 9-11 and will feature a hiring fair, professional development sessions, and a community day.

The three-day experience will begin on Friday, April 9 with development sessions geared towards preparing for virtual interviewing including skill development, personal storytelling tips and resume review. Attendees can also network with school leaders and hiring managers from Teach Indy schools to learn more about open job opportunities.

The agenda on Saturday, April 10 will include professional development and best practices, while Sunday, April 11 will be focused as a community day to thank the amazing educators across Indianapolis.

Registration is open to any educator in an Indianapolis school or district or to any educator who may be interested in learning more about working in Indianapolis schools. Visit TeachIndyNow.org for more information and to REGISTER FOR FREE.

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MEANWHILE IN MIAMI… Two months after the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, the CFP Foundation and Miami Host Committee’s efforts continue in South Florida as more school learning space makeovers are completed with the ongoing goal of helping teachers and students.

Check out these latest Extra Yard Makeovers that were unveiled in February.

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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH In honor of Women’s History Month, the EYFT team salutes the millions of fantastic female teachers and educators out there who make a difference! Girls everywhere know that they can accomplish anything — from becoming Vice President of the United States to living the dream of being an ESPN sports broadcaster!

TEACHERS CONTINUE TO MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

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cross the country, teachers have shown so much resilience over the last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all of the challenges they have faced, teachers continue to be the backbone of our schools, finding ways to keep kids engaged and learning! The College Football Playoff 2020 Florida Teacher of the Foundation continues to support educators Year Dre Graham and encourage them to keep leaning on one knows how another, keep sharing best practices and powerful one new ideas and stay committed to students. moment can be for a student.

We are so proud of the dedication shown by teachers and are inspired by the examples they set!

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