The 91社区 (USF) College of Education, and the teamed up to gift more than $6,700 to help teachers across the Tampa Bay region fund special projects and activities in their classrooms.
Funding for this initiative was made possible by the CFP Foundation and the . Supported projects were selected through the platform , a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects.
鈥淥ne of the things I am most proud of from my tenure with the College Football Playoff was the creation of the College Football Playoff Foundation and its emphasis on supporting educators through the Extra Yard for Teachers initiative,鈥� said USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly. 鈥淭o now see the widespread support for this cause nationwide and specific DonorsChoose projects become reality here in the Tampa Bay region with positive impacts on our educators and students brings me great joy. We appreciate the College Football Playoff Foundation and DonorsChoose.org for their generous support.鈥�
Through this initiative, 28 projects were awarded funding in honor of , an annual celebration hosted by the CFP Foundation that elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers.
鈥淲e are grateful for the amazing partnership with USF to support teachers and our future teachers,鈥� said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. 鈥淢ichael Kelly was key in the launch and growth of the CFP Foundation, which has supported hundreds of thousands of educators all across the country. We know this would not be possible without his leadership.鈥�
In addition to celebrating Extra Yard for Teachers Week, USF has joined the CFP Foundation on the Go Teach Project, a national program that encourages student athletes to consider a rewarding career in the teaching profession.
鈥淭he DonorsChoose projects supported through this initiative demonstrate the tireless dedication that Tampa Bay鈥檚 teachers have to supporting the learning outcomes and overall well-being of their students,鈥� said R. Anthony Rolle, PhD, professor and dean of the USF College of Education. 鈥淭he USF College of Education is proud to take part in Extra Yard for Teachers Week and to support the talented educators who serve in classrooms across our partner school districts.鈥�
More information about each of the funded projects is available below.
Mrs. Keysor, Florine J. Abel Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools
Project by Mrs. Miller, Wendell Watson Elementary School in Polk County Public Schools
Ms. Haas, Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Pasco County Schools
Mrs. McCarthy, Maximo Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools
Mrs. Dunn, Bexley Elementary School in Pasco County Schools
Mrs. Sotolongo, Ridgeview Global Studies Academy in Polk County Public Schools
Ms. E, Melrose Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools
Ms. DallaValle, Campbell Park Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools
Coach Rupe, Dreamers Academy in Sarasota County Schools
Mr. White, Citrus Park Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Ms. Russell, Cypress Elementary School in Pasco County Schools
Ms. G, William H. Bashaw Elementary School in School District of Manatee County
Ms. M, Forest Hills Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Mrs. Hallman, Garden Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools
Mrs. Gruwell, Oneco Elementary School in School District of Manatee County
Mrs. Boucher, Mort Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Ms. Lustri, Deer Park Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Ms. Lewis, Hill Middle School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Ms. Zanto, Lewis Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Coach Tayler, Rosabelle Blake Academy in Polk County Public Schools
Mrs. Kopp, B. D. Gullett Elementary School in School District of Manatee County
Mrs. Kern, Gocio Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools
Ms. Delgado, Socrum Elementary School in Polk County Public Schools
Mrs. Tastet, Bellamy Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Mrs. Gross, John M. Sexton Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools
Ms. England, Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools
Mrs. L. Portera, Shaw Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools
Mrs. Harris, Pine View Elementary School in Pasco County Schools
About the USF College of Education:
As the home for more than 2,200 students and 130 faculty members across three campuses,
the 91社区 College of Education offers state-of-the-art teacher
training and collegial graduate studies designed to empower educational leaders. Our
college is nationally accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and our educator
preparation programs are fully approved by the 91社区 Department of Education.
91社区 Athletics:
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men's and women's teams that compete in 11 different
sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls'
athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 54th season in 2019-20. Nearly 450 student-athletes
train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in
Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 19 American Athletic Conference team titles since
joining the conference in 2013, and own 120 conference titles overall. Eleven USF
programs reached national postseason competition in the 2018-19 season and six were
ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average
over 3.0 for the fourth straight year in 2018-19 and have posted a program record
10 straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had over 400 student-athletes
earn their degree since 2016-17.
About the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers:
The CFP Foundation is the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff,
supporting education across the country. The CFP Foundation鈥檚 primary cause platform,
Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring
and empowering teachers in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and
professional development. The CFP Foundation utilizes multiple partnerships to execute
its initiatives and support positive educational outcomes. To learn more, visit and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.