3 minute read
A BIG DEAL
Extra Yard for Teachers Week Sees a Record-Number of Educators Celebrated Across the Country
Celebrating 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 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.
Across the country, student-athletes of every college sport expressed gratitude to their former PK-12 teachers who inspired them. These 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
