Community Invited to Join Miami Loves Teachers Initiative to Champion Local Educators

By Trina Sargalski

The Education Fund, in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and the 2026 Miami Host Committee, has launched Miami Loves Teachers, inviting the community to join a comprehensive initiative designed to champion the more than 18,000 educators in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

The new Miami Loves Teachers platform (https://miamilovesteachers.org/) launches as M-DCPS earns its fifth consecutive "A" rating from the Florida Department of Education.

"Our trajectory of excellence at Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a testament to the incredible work of our students, teachers, staff, and leaders," said Dr. Jose L. Dotres, superintendent. "Miami Loves Teachers represents the kind of community-wide support that makes the difference in ensuring every educator has what they need to help students succeed."

Teachers are bearing the brunt of economic challenges, and strengthening their morale is crucial to retaining talented educators. Miami Loves Teachers provides these educators with the resources they need to continue their vital work.

The College Football Playoff Foundation funds a Teacher of the Week program with $1,000 classroom grants, while The Education Fund leverages established programs like the Ocean Bank Center for Educational Materials, which has distributed more than $28 million in free classroom supplies since 1993,  Teach-A-Thon, which connects business leaders directly with classrooms, raising funds for essential classroom resources while building community understanding of public education, and Ideas with Impact,  a teacher-driven professional development network where M-DCPS educators share successful classroom strategies that boost student achievement.  Through the Tickets for Teachers initiative, educators receive exclusive access to cultural events, professional development, and networking opportunities.

Superintendent Dotres selected The Education Fund to spearhead the initiative, recognizing the organization's 40 years of experience supporting Miami-Dade students and teachers.

"Miami Loves Teachers represents our community's deep appreciation for the educators who shape our future," said Linda Lecht, president of The Education Fund.

 University of Michigan research shows that teachers who receive recognition stay nearly twice as long, and a TNTP study funding classroom projects makes teachers 22 percent more likely to remain in their current classroom, directly benefiting students and the community's investment in education.

Teachers can register at miamilovesteachers.org, and supporters can learn how to get involved.