SPECIAL EDITION
CA BIG DEAL
Extra Yard for Teachers Week Sees a Record-Number of Educators Celebrated Across the Country
elebrating teachers never gets old, especially at this time of year. The school year has begun, college football is in full swing, and there is a fresh sense of optimism in the country.
The 2024 edition of Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) Week — the annual nationwide celebration of educators created by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation — was held from September 14-21 and this year more than 5,000 teachers were recognized by members of the college sports, nonprofit, and corporate community from coast to coast. It marked an all-time high for thousands
of teachers who were uplifted during EYFT Week through hundreds of partner activations.
Again anchoring EYFT Week was the fifth annual BIG DAY for Teachers, the largest single-day effort of community impact by the extended college football family, completely focused on educators. Thousands of dollars in DonorsChoose funds for classroom projects were distributed on the BIG DAY for Teachers (Tuesday, September 17), including a new partnership between the CFP Foundation and Amazon Business that covered $200,000 of back-to-school projects for equity-focused schools. Project funding included
SEC Network surprised a Florida Gator Alum and teacher with an on-air surprise.
MORE THAN 5,000 TEACHERS RECOGNIZED
The Fiesta Bowl brought out the confetti to surprise teachers on the BIG DAY for Teachers.
SPECIAL EDITION
TEACHERS HONORED
technology, flexible seating, basic classroom supplies, books and educational games. Pop-Tarts also joined the effort, committing $50,000 in DonorsChoose funds to be distributed to teachers in theOrlando area, site of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Amazon Business and Pop-Tarts joined existing CFP Foundation partners AT&T, ESPN, Eckrich, Dr Pepper, Cheez-It, and School Specialty in making the BIG DAY for Teachers a success.
We are so thankful for the generosity of so many amazing partners and everyone in the college football community who participated in Extra Yard for Teachers Week and the BIG DAY for Teachers .
student-athletes were joined by college mascots, cheer teams, deans, coaches, and bowl game representatives on school visits and surprises for teachers. And once again, longtime supporter ESPN surprised teachers live on College GameDay and SEC Nation.
BRITTON BANOWSKY CFP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Across the country, student-athletes of every college sport expressed gratitude to their former PK-12 teachers who inspired them. These
“We are so thankful for the generosity of so many amazing partners and everyone in the college football community who participated in Extra Yard for Teachers
Week and the BIG DAY for Teachers,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation.
The Big 12 Conference surprised a University Hill Elementary school teacher with an additional $1,000 after revealing an Extra Yard Makeover that day.
“Together we were able to impact more teachers than we ever have during the regular season, as this great tradition continues to grow. It’s a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate educators across the country.”
The social media videos featuring emotional surprises to teachers in their classrooms continue to be the highlight every EYFT week. Overall social media reach of Extra Yard for Teachers Week saw a 70% increase from last year with engagements in the millions.
Since its inception in 2014, the CFP Foundation and its EYFT platform has supported more than 550,000 teachers nationwide, creating a positive impact for more than 12 million students and 60,000 schools while collectively investing approximately $80 million in support of education nationwide.
Georgia student-athletes visited schools to deliver surprise checks to teachers.
“Every year we are blown away at the number of people who give thanks to teachers during Extra Yard Week, and this year was no exception,” said Banowsky. “It’s incredible and a testament to the true impact that teachers have.”
SPECIAL EDITION
MAGNIFICENT MAKEOVERS
School Specialty Continues to Help Transform Learning Spaces for Both Teachers and Students
Since 2015, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation has partnered with School Specialty to provide new, fully equipped educational spaces that promote learning and personal growth through the Extra Yard for Teachers Makeover Project.
The two organizations share a common goal: improving resources for educators while providing access to better learning opportunities for children.
A SHARED MISSION TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
University Hill Elementary School in Colorado and Newman Elementary School in Utah each cut a ribbon on a new space as part of the Big 12 Conference’s Homecoming initiative during Extra Yard for Teachers Week.
“At School Specialty, we are incredibly proud of our partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation and their Extra Yard Makeover program,” said Amy Veugeler, Vice President of Learning Environments with School Specialty. “Together, we are making significant strides in transforming classrooms across the country, bringing much-needed resources to educators and creating enhanced learning environments for students. It is invaluable and truly special to work alongside a partner that
shares our mission of supporting teachers and improving access to better educational opportunities for children. Through these classroom makeovers, we are not just investing in physical spaces but in the future of education.”
SCHOOL RENOVATIONS NATIONWIDE
Over the years and in conjunction with the CFP Foundation, School Specialty has donated its
PARTNERS FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATION: Together, the CFP Foundation and School Specialty have been improving learning spaces throughout the country since 2015.
time, resources, and products to renovate more than 50 schools in conjunction with the CFP Foundation, including eight new makeovers unveiled in the last two months, just in time for the 2024-25 school year. For months leading up to their respective makeover, these schools receive customary top-notch levels of service through Projects by Designs as well as products from School Specialty’s proprietary brands which include Classroom Select, Califone,
21st Century Safe School, Childcraft, School Smart, Sax, Abilitations, and Sportime.
For us to have successful students and to have successful teachers, they have to find joy in what they do every single day.
DR, LUPITA HINOJOSA SPRING ISD SUPERINTENDENT
“For us to have successful students and to have successful teachers, they have to find joy in what they do every single day,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa, regarding a media center makeover at Ponderosa Elementary School in Houston.
“The remodeling of this library truly brings joy and excitement and creates that hope for them and their future.”
CREATING DYNAMIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
Flexible and varied classroom furniture plays a key role in creating dynamic learning environments that cater to different teaching methods and student needs. Offering options like modular seating, adjustable desks, mobile storage units, and variations on seating styles, allows teachers to easily shift between activities, whether it’s collaborative group work, independent study, or hands-on projects.
A variety of seating options also gives students the freedom to choose what best suits their comfort and learning style, which can boost focus and engagement. The ability to quickly reconfigure the space promotes creativity, keeps lessons fluid, and ensures the classroom meets diverse physical and academic needs. Overall, flexibility and variety in furniture enhance both teaching and learning by fostering adaptability and inclusivity.
A unique design element in the classroom, such as a vibrant mural, a special piece of furniture, custom artwork, or creative lighting, can greatly enhance the learning experience for both teachers and students. These personalized touches can make the space feel more inviting, exciting, and inspiring, sparking curiosity and creativity. When students see a classroom that reflects thoughtful design, it fosters a sense of pride and ownership in their environment, which can boost their engagement and motivation to learn. For teachers, it creates an energizing atmosphere that can inspire innovative lessons and a positive classroom culture.
One of the things since I’ve been principal here is that I wanted my kids to believe they can be anything they want to be. I think this opens another opportunity for our kiddos to believe that.
TAMMY
ROGERS BARRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
INSPIRING FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
“This is a special place,” said Berry Elementary School (Arlington, Texas) Principal Tammy Rogers on the school’s new media center. “One of the things since I’ve been principal here is that I wanted my kids to believe they can be anything they want to be. I think this opens another opportunity for our kiddos to believe that.”
Orange Bowl Cares had the honor of surprising Ms. Luechauer from James S. Rickards Middle School with $1,000 on the BIG DAY for Teachers.
ATLANTA CELEBRATES TEACHERS
The Georgia Teachers Initiative is Taking Care of its Own
Earlier this year the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and Atlanta Football Host Committee (AFHC) launched the Georgia Teachers Initiative (GTI) to celebrate, support, engage, connect and provide resources to PK-12 teachers through a newly developed statewide platform and community. Together with GTI, the city of Atlanta and the CFP Foundation look to build on the $4 million collective investment in education since the 2018 national championship game, all while expanding the legacy impact to teachers across the state of Georgia with a goal of reaching one-third of all educators statewide (more than 100,000) by kickoff of the 2025 national championship game.
+ Heard County elementary schools received surprise funding, making it the 159th and final county in Georgia to receive funding as part of the GTI.
During Extra Yard for Teachers (EYFT) Week, 11 Alive (the official media partner of the CFP Foundation for the 2025 CFP National Championship in Atlanta) told GTI’s story and helped get the word out to the local community on the initiative’s efforts to help teachers. Throughout the week, 11 Alive hosted several different educators on Atlanta & Company, the station’s daily lifestyle show featuring all things Atlanta. Some of the highlights featured on the daily lifestyle show featuring all things Atlanta included:
+ The CMA Foundation and CFP Foundation surprised a music teacher with a new recording studio for her students.
+ Tickets for Teachers and the Atlanta Falcons surprised a teacher with game tickets and $1,000 for the school.
“We’re grateful to 11 Alive to host and be part of some fun surprises for Georgia’s best teachers on Atlanta & Company, “said CFP Foundation Executive Director Britton Banowsky. “It was fantastic that we were able to celebrate educators and give some great publicity to the teaching profession during Extra Yard Week.”
Georgia’s PK-12 educators are encouraged to go to GeorgiaTeachersInitiative.org which serves as a hub for everything that they do. Teachers can sign up on the web site to stay up-todate on the latest resources, events, giveaways, and upcoming events.
PARTNERSHIP CORNER
The CFP Foundation is extremely thankful for its generous partners who help make possible our work to celebrate and support teachers.
EXISTING PARTNERS
Nominations close 11/1/24
Nominations close 12/1/24
NEW ON THE SCENE
FloridaCitrusSports, which runs the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl and the Pop-TartsBowl,surprised teachers in 19 schools across Orlando with lunch fromRaisingCane'sto say,“thankyou.”
