COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF FOUNDATION
NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2024
NATIONAL REPRESENTATION The Teacher of the Year Experience presented by Eckrich Brings Educators Together from Across the Country
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he College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation the weekend, the teachers are recognized on-field celebrated its 10th anniversary at during the pregame festivities at the national the 2024 CFP National Championship in championship game in celebration of their superb Houston with a tradition effort and dedication to that’s been around the teaching profession. since its inception — One of those teachers recognizing teachers this year was Dana from across the country Miles, who identifies with the college football as deaf and teaches world watching. Bilingual Language Arts The “Teachers of at Washington School for the Year Experience” the Deaf, north of Seattle. presented by Eckrich She is Washington state’s is an effort that brings Teacher of the Year. in 55 educators from Colleagues say Miles across the country who has made quite the impact were hand-picked by the for the last 11 years. She’s Teachers enjoyed Playoff Pregame Hospitality Council of Chief State walked in the shoes of at the CFP National Championship. School Officers (CCSSO) her students and really as the state Teachers of understands what it the Year (all 50 states + means to be deaf in a U.S. territories). During the weekend leading up to hearing world. She knows the strategies, how to do the CFP National Championship, each are honored everything from scheduling a doctor’s appointment to guests at CFP Foundation events. As the pinnacle of taking high level assessments.
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The state teachers of the year were honored in a pregame ceremony on the field and joined by the 2024 Eckrich Teacher of the Year Brooke Gordon, CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky, Smithfield Foods President & CEO Shane Smith, and Council of Chief State School Officers Chief Executive Officer Carissa Moffat Miller.
Her honor of being Washington’s Teacher of the “I got you,” Hanson told families struggling with Year earned her a trip to Houston for the weekend to online learning. “I’ll come to your house, if you feel watch her Huskies play for the national title. comfortable with that. I’ll log you in. I’ll help you get “I didn’t believe it when I first found out,” said Miles. your passwords in place — whatever they need to feel “But it was an amazing successful in helping feeling that I was going their kids in this time to go watch my Huskies that we’re all feeling compete for the national uncertain.” championship.” Hanson has taught Nanette Hanson of at various grade levels, Escanaba, Michigan, has from alternative high been teaching for more school to first grade. than 20 years. Michigan’s She said she enjoys State Teacher of the teaching first grade Year, Hanson has been because, at that age, making a difference “they’re learning to read, Eckrich gave teachers the chance to throw at a for years. During the love going to school and target to win $1,000 for classroom resources. pandemic, she was come with this energy of eager to offer support far eagerly wanting to learn beyond her classroom. and try new things.” When Escanaba-area public schools provided Hanson also made the trip to Texas to watch the computers for their online students during the 2020-21 Wolverines play for the title as part of the Teachers school year, Hanson took it upon herself to make sure of the Year Experience. While Hanson enjoyed the every one of her virtual students could log on. game and entire weekend, she was more taken aback
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by the overall effort and what it means to teachers nationwide. “It’s so magnificent that the College Football Playoff is taking note of what an important profession teaching is,” said Hanson. “We need this type of national coverage for people out there who would make amazing teachers. They need to know that it is a respected profession and that they can make a difference and they can be impactful on young kids everywhere. I’m very grateful for the opportunity.” All the teachers who came to Houston were treated to complimentary CFP Foundation swag items, including a $100 Visa gift card, Nike Dri fit long sleeve t-shirt, reusable cup, cap, duffle and jacket, personalized football, tickets to Taste of the Championship, an exclusive pregame party, tickets to AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concerts, and of course two game tickets.
Teachers work so hard and we can’t thank the CFP Foundation enough for their dedication to impact teachers, but more so to recruit new ones and retain the ones who make a difference every day. DANA MILES WASHINGTON STATE TEACHER OF THE YEAR
“My Huskies didn’t win, but the entire experience was once-in-a-lifetime,” said Miles. “Teachers work so hard and we can’t thank the CFP Foundation enough for their dedication to impact teachers, but more so to recruit new ones and retain the ones who make a difference every day.” Ten years in, the CFP Foundation plans to continue honoring these Teachers of the Year every January — representatives of the millions of valued educators in America molding our children’s future.
AT&T SURPRISE DONATION
On the morning of the National Championship, the College Football Playoff Foundation welcomed 175 Houston teachers back to school for the second semester with a celebratory breakfast and surprise donation announcement in efforts with AT&T. As part of AT&T’s sponsorship of Extra Yard for Teachers and the work AT&T does to help close the digital divide, AT&T announced that 500 tablet computer devices would be given to Milby High School students, funded by an AT&T donation to Compudopt. In addition, AT&T made a $50K donation to Extra Yard for Teachers in efforts to support Houston-area educators.
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SUMMIT CELEBRATION
Houston’s Extra Yard for Teachers Summit was the Best One Yet BY REEVES EDDINS
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n Saturday, January 6, more than 1,400 15-minute routine. If the summit agenda had not Houston-area teachers flocked to Wortham been widely circulated, they could easily have been Theatre Center in downtown Houston for the mistaken for the Rangerettes. College Football Playoff (CFP) The program began with a Foundation’s annual Extra Yard donation announcement of 500 for Teachers Summit. Thousands devices to the students and of teachers from across the families of Milby High School on country also virtually participated behalf of AT&T and Compudopt. in the sold-out program centered Soon after, Chris Massey (Vice around the Houston Loves President of Harris County Teachers campaign, as highHouston’s Sports Authority), Cary energy speakers who recognize Wright (CEO of Good Reason the efforts of educators shared Houston, and Tom Ramsey (Harris inspirational words of wisdom and County Commissioner Precinct affirmation. 3 practitioner) welcomed all in Upon arrival, teachers joined attendance and thanked them for the check-in line of the country’s their selfless commitments and TOM RAMSEY finest educators, and while they servitude. Slam poet and emcee HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3 PRACTITIONER waited, were entertained by the Joaquín Zihuatanejo then took the Milby High School Marching reins of the event and kicked off Thunder Band who supplied a wide-array of its finest the heartwarming afternoon of motivation. melodies. Once seated, the performance spotlight Ramsey reminded the crowd that “there’s not remained on Milby High School students, as its a player in Washington or in Michigan that didn’t Cadets welcomed the jam-packed theater with a benefit from a great teacher growing up.”
There’s not a player in Washington or in Michigan that didn’t benefit from a great teacher growing up.
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Before the first speaker took the stage, media personality, attorney and author Rachel Lindsay surprised CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock and his wife and former teacher, Nicki Hancock, with the inaugural “Bill and Nicki Hancock Excellence in Teaching Award.” The “Excellence in College Counseling” award was next presented by Reach Higher to Laura Dew, Westbury High SURPRISE HONOR: CFP Executive Director Bill Hancock and his wife Nicki, a former teacher, School College Access were awarded the inaugural “Bill and Nicki Hancock Excellence in Teaching Award.” Coordinator. The event, which spanned more than three hours, was filled with captivating speakers ranging “I’m always looking for ways to enhance my from Olympian Carl Lewis and keynote speaker classroom,” said Valerie Pauling, an 11th-grade English and author Damon West to Louisiana Teacher of teacher at Ridge Point High School. “It was a lot of fun.” the Year Brittany Bonnaffons. Additionally, musical All in all, the 2024 Extra Yard for Teachers Summit performances by country singer and songwriter Alli provided an uplifting and unforgettable afternoon for Walker, DJ Riddler, and participating educators more were sprinkled who deserve to feel throughout the festivities. valued and appreciated. The uplifting program It reinforced Houston’s was also filled with love for teachers and giveaways. Hundreds reminded everybody that of DonorsChoose the CFP Foundation exists gift cards to fund to work in conjunction classroom projects and with, empower, and enhancements were elevate the exact people dispersed to a wide who attended the recordrange of teachers who breaking afternoon. were in possession “You’re the true heroes GOOD COMPANY: Educators that attended the of lucky raffle tickets. of our community, and 2024 Extra Yard for Teachers Summit enjoyed a On top of that, five VR we couldn’t do what peer-to-peer networking reception following the headsets were given we’re doing right here inspirational program. away by Inspirit, plus a without you,” said Massey set of tickets to the 2024 to the impressive group national championship of educators. “We’re game and the Taste of the Championship culinary privileged to be hosting the College Football Playoff event at Union Station at Minute Maid Park were National Championship in our hometown and we’re awarded to two of Houston’s finest teachers. happy you are part of it.”
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TWICE AS NICE Extra Yard Makeover Unveilings Add to CFP National Championship Week BY REEVES EDDINS
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wo of six Houston-area Extra Yard Makeovers of the CFP Foundation’s work in Houston. The Library scheduled through the spring were unveiled Media Center received upgraded furniture, seating and over College Football Playoff (CFP) National improved technology. Ponderosa Elementary School Championship week in is part of the Spring ISD Houston, as a pair of district in the greater schools found themselves Houston area. as the latest beneficiaries Next up was Highland of the program that Heights Elementary helps students and School in Houston, as teachers with upgraded teachers and students learning areas. The CFP were surprised with a Foundation, Houston new art learning lab. Host Committee, Houston “I wasn’t expecting Loves Teachers, Eckrich this,” said fifthand School Specialty grade student Tiana all played a big part in Youngblood upon seeing the makeovers and their the new space. “I was reveals. just expecting the art NEW HEIGHTS: Highland Heights Elementary received a The Library Media room to look the same as new art learning lab. Center at Ponderosa it was when we left for Elementary School was Christmas break.” first on the list, as its teachers were surprised by the Highland Heights’ fresh, $50K learning lab, designed Houston Host Committee earlier this fall with the news by School Specialty in conjunction with Eckrich, now that they would receive an Extra Yard Makeover as part features state-of-the-art technology and resources,
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A VALUED PARTNER
DonorsChoose
including brand-new art supplies, a Clever Touch Smart Board, art stations, and a teaching area. A new mural, painted by Art Teacher Sharon Ford, is also now featured on the back wall of the space. “Out of all the schools that could be getting this over College Football Playoff weekend, we got chosen, so that’s a huge honor,” said Ford. One extra surprise of reveal day included a $5,000 DonorsChoose gift card, courtesy of Eckrich, awarded to second-grade reading and writing teacher Mr. Thorns to fund classroom projects. “A lot of schools have resources, but most schools don’t, particularly in urban areas,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. “To be able to come in and close the gap for these kids and teachers and help them with what they need to be successful is something that is core to our mission.”
Since a lot of us have just cheered on our favorite college teams, we wanted to spotlight one of our favorite dream teams: DonorsChoose and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation. THANK YOU! Year after year, the two entities have ensured that classroom needs are met across the country through the Extra Yard for Teachers platform.
HERE TO SEE → CLICK SOME OF THEIR KEY ACHIEVEMENTS.
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By giving scholarships to student-athletes who wish to become teachers, the College Football Playoff Foundation and Dr Pepper have been supporting the education workforce for over three years. More than 100 students from FBS conferences, the University of Notre Dame, and historically black colleges and universities have been nominated to receive $2,500 tuition grants to complete their degrees or certifications to become teachers. Ten of the recipients will also receive an additional $10,000 grand prize. This past December, just before the Big 12 Football Championship Game, wide receiver Leon Johnson III was surprised with the news that he was the Big 12’s 2023 Go Teach Dr Pepper Grand Prize recipient paving the way for him to become a math teacher! The full list of Grand Prize Winners will be announced later this spring.
DO THE MATH: Oklahoma State wide receiver Leon Johnson III was surprised as the Big 12’s 2023 Go Teach Dr Pepper Grand Prize recipient paving the way for him to become a math teacher!
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CULINARY COMPETITION
The College Football Playoff Foundation and ESPN Citizenship teamed up to award teachers at local schools with $1,000 every time a touchdown is scored during the 2023-24 bowl season. More than $400,000 has been invested in education thanks to the initiative. The success of the partnership and culmination of the newest initiative was celebrated at Playoff Fan Central as part of a touchdown dance photo booth, teacher appreciation wall, and a special in-game presentation during the National Championship.
Students from Milby High School competed in the 2024 Taste of the Championship culinary competition, showcasing their cooking skills. The students represented the Texas ProStart program, which prepares students for careers in the restaurant and food service industry. The program supports 250 high schools and 27,000 students. The other Houston area schools who also participated are Cleveland High School in Cleveland, Dawson High School in Pearland, and Waller High School in Waller.
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