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USF, College Football Playoff Foundation give $6,700 to support teacher-led projects in Tampa Bay school districts

Extra Yard for Teachers Week | September 10-18, 2021

The University of South Florida (USF) College of Education, USF Athletics and the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation 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 American Athletic Conference. Supported projects were selected through the platform DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects.

“One 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,” said USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly. “To 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.”

Through this initiative, 28 projects were awarded funding in honor of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, an annual celebration hosted by the CFP Foundation that elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers.

“We are grateful for the amazing partnership with USF to support teachers and our future teachers,” said Britton Banowsky, executive director of the CFP Foundation. “Michael 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.”

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.

“The DonorsChoose projects supported through this initiative demonstrate the tireless dedication that Tampa Bay’s teachers have to supporting the learning outcomes and overall well-being of their students,” said R. Anthony Rolle, PhD, professor and dean of the USF College of Education. “The 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.”

More information about each of the funded projects is available below.

All the Feels: Multi-Sensory Room
Mrs. Keysor, Florine J. Abel Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools

Becoming Readers with Character
Project by Mrs. Miller, Wendell Watson Elementary School in Polk County Public Schools

Books of Excellence: Creating a Diverse Class Library
Ms. Haas, Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Pasco County Schools

Building Equity Through Imaginative Play
Mrs. McCarthy, Maximo Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools

Calming Corner
Mrs. Dunn, Bexley Elementary School in Pasco County Schools

Calming Corner
Mrs. Sotolongo, Ridgeview Global Studies Academy in Polk County Public Schools

A Classroom That Feels like Home
Ms. E, Melrose Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools

Fabulous Fitness Fun!
Ms. DallaValle, Campbell Park Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools

Future Olympians in Need of Good PE Equipment
Coach Rupe, Dreamers Academy in Sarasota County Schools

The Get Up and Go Room Returns
Mr. White, Citrus Park Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Group Counseling Curriculum
Ms. Russell, Cypress Elementary School in Pasco County Schools

Joy of Reading
Ms. G, William H. Bashaw Elementary School in School District of Manatee County

Jump Into Learning!
Ms. M, Forest Hills Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Just a Drop in the Bucket
Mrs. Hallman, Garden Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools

Kinesthetic Learning and Family Fun!
Mrs. Gruwell, Oneco Elementary School in School District of Manatee County

Learning Through Our Senses
Mrs. Boucher, Mort Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Making Learning Fun!
Ms. Lustri, Deer Park Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Motivational Work for Middle School Students!
Ms. Lewis, Hill Middle School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Multicultural Literature for a Multicultural Classroom!
Ms. Zanto, Lewis Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Nothing but Net
Coach Tayler, Rosabelle Blake Academy in Polk County Public Schools

Play 60
Mrs. Kopp, B. D. Gullett Elementary School in School District of Manatee County

Readers Are Leaders!
Mrs. Kern, Gocio Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools

Recess for Energy Release
Ms. Delgado, Socrum Elementary School in Polk County Public Schools

Sensory Room = Increased Concentration and Learning
Mrs. Tastet, Bellamy Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Special Needs Students With Sensory Needs
Mrs. Gross, John M. Sexton Elementary School in Pinellas County Schools

We Must Meet Them Where They Are!
Ms. England, Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota County Schools

Whole Body Learning With Calm My Mind and Body
Mrs. L. Portera, Shaw Elementary School in Hillsborough County Public Schools

Wiggles Out-Comfort In!
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 University of South Florida 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 Florida Department of Education.

About USF 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’s 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 cfp-foundation.org and follow Extra Yard for Teachers (@CFPExtraYard) on social media.

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About the USF College of Education:

As the home for more than 2,200 students and 130 faculty members across three campuses, the University of South Florida 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 Florida Department of Education.