CELEBRATING TEACHERS
Six Ways the CFP Foundation went the Extra Yard for Teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week for 2023 was another opportunity for Americans coast-to-coast to say “thank you” to teachers who truly make the difference in our children’s lives.
Many of the College Football Playoff’s valuable partners wanted to stay involved, adding to the overall effort and appreciated greatly by the organization.
“We cannot do what we do without the valuable contributions that come from our partners,” said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “The schools, conferences and bowl games all do such a wonderful job to step up and make a difference. We’re all pulling on the same rope with the same message — ‘thank you, teachers.’ It takes all of us.”
THE AAC SURPRISES TEACHERS IN DALLAS
The American Athletic Conference (AAC), based in North Texas, wanted to step up for teachers in its back yard. The AAC staff surprised Marsh Middle School in Dallas, where 10 teachers were each given $1,000 to fund various DonorsChoose projects. The funds were a part of the conference’s grant through the CFP Foundation.
The 10 teachers were surprised as part of a school assembly and were joined by students and colleagues as part of the celebration.
“All of us at the American Athletic Conference are grateful to be a part of [Teacher Appreciation Week] and align with the CFP Foundation in supporting teachers,” said Shane Elder, the AAC’s Director of Football Operations and Sport Administration who was on hand for the presentation. “There’s no better feeling than giving back to the teachers who work so hard in molding our children’s future.”
We cannot do what we do without the valuable contributions that come from our partners.
BRITTON BANOWSKY CFP FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
NOLA LOVE FROM THE ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL
In New Orleans, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) held a Teacher Fest to celebrate educators. Over 1,750 teachers attended the event with 100 percent of NOLA public schools represented. Together, the Allstate Sugar Bowl and CFP Foundation gave away $70,000 in DonorsChoose grants to teachers.
Afterward, 95 percent of the teachers who attended said the event made them feel “very valued.” NSNO utilized the Teacher Fest as an opportunity for recruitment too, as the organization connected with 75 additional outof-district teachers. The momentum in the Crescent City is clear, and NSNO is confident that next year’s event will have more than 2,000 attendees.
In addition, four school surprises were held for teachers in New Orleans, all of which focused on supporting classroom resources with additional DonorsChoose grants for teachers and principals.
FORMER COMMISSIONER STAYING INVOLVED
During his tenure at the Big 12, former commissioner Bob Bowlsby always enjoyed staying involved in community events, so much so that even in retirement, he participated in Teacher Appreciation Week as an ambassador for the CFP Foundation.
Bowlsby served at two surprise presentations — one at Nathan Adams Elementary in Dallas and the other at Marsh Middle School — where $1,000 in DonorsChoose funds was awarded to a teacher for classroom projects. The principal at each school was also given $1,000 to apply toward school resources.
“Teachers are so important, and to be part of these wonderful surprises never gets old,” said Bowlsby. “Our educators do such an incredible job. I enjoy staying involved with the CFP Foundation and their overall efforts to support teachers.”
Teachers are so important, and to be part of these wonderful surprises never gets old.
BOB BOWLSBY
THANK YOU TEACHERS! The 2023 edition of Teacher Appreciation Week was a success nationwide — from New York to Houston to L.A. — complete with teacher appreciation parties, Extra Yard Makeover reveals and a CFP Foundation favorite, classroom supply surprises!
THE MOUNTAIN WEST STEPS UP
The Mountain West Conference wanted to take its extra CFP Foundation grant money and support teachers in Hawai’i and Reno, Nevada, with $7,500 going toward classroom projects in each community.
Mrs. Marhulis, who teaches at King Kamehameha III Elementary School in Lahaina, Hawai’i, received resources to help her fund a STEAM learning project through LEGO education. Thanks to this program, Mrs. Marhulis’ students will experience standardsaligned learning units using everyday themes, relatable mini-figures with different personalities and familiar LEGO building elements to solve problems through storytelling.
Mrs. Konyshev at Desert Heights Elementary in Reno, Nevada, received funds for iPads that her students can use to collect data and observe changes in the local environment for science investigations.
Overall, 31 teachers across 25 Hawai’i schools were served, as 33 total projects were funded statewide. In Reno, 23 teachers from 13 different schools received support to fund 23 total projects.
ECKRICH MEATS’ CONTINUED GENEROSITY AND DEDICATION
During Teacher Appreciation Week, longtime CFP Foundation partner Eckrich Meats ran its familiar “Tag a Te@cher” giveaway promotion on Instagram. Followers were encouraged to nominate great teachers to enter for a chance to win $1,000 in DonorsChoose funds thanks to Eckrich.
SAVE THE DATES
ALL ROSES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
More than 200 educators were recognized across the campaign, including five who were randomly selected to receive the funds in appreciation of their efforts.
Public school libraries in the Pasadena, California, area received makeovers for a more “modern and natural” feel. The renovated libraries at Octavia E. Butler Magnet School in Pasadena and Eliot Arts Magnet Academy in Altadena were revealed during Teacher Appreciation Week, and school officials and representatives from the community groups that made it happen attended the festivities.
The makeovers were made possible by the College Football Playoff Foundation with support from the Tournament of Roses and the Pasadena Educational Foundation. Across the two library makeovers, the three foundations combined to donate approximately $105,000.
“The updated media centers will elevate the learning experience for students for years to come,” said Brian McDonald, superintendent of Pasadena Unified School District.
Noemi Orduna, principal at Butler, said the space will be a hub of activities, including daily lunches and meetings.
“This makes a difference in our students’ and teachers’ experiences,” she said. “You don’t know what this means to us.”
SEPTEMBER 15-23
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Join the CFP Foundation in celebrating teachers across the country! Your support allows us to bring the college sports community together in support of the PK-12 educators who help us get to where we are today!
We ask all of our partners to show support for teachers during this week, whether it be on social, at a home football game, or working with the CFP Foundation and your conference office to deliver resources to educators in your community.
