College Football Playoff Foundation awards $200,000 to Teach Indy for teacher recruitment and retention initiatives

INDIANAPOLIS - (September 14, 2020) - The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and 2022 College Football Playoff National Championship Host Committee today announced a $200,000 investment in Teach Indy to support the recruitment, development, recognition, and retention of great teachers for Indianapolis schools. Teach Indy is a partnership between Indianapolis Public Schools, The Mind Trust, and the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation.

“We are proud to partner with Teach Indy and local funders to support the long-term quality of the teacher workforce In Indianapolis,” said Britton Banowsky College Football Playoff Foundation Executive Director. “The recruitment and retention of quality teachers is critical to student achievement in every community, and the opportunity to be a part of this work is very exciting.”

The CFP National Championship will take place in Indianapolis in January 2022. In the years leading up to the national championship game, the CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, works with the host city and education partners within that city to identify what areas of focus are most in need. Impact programs to support resources and programs to uplift the teaching profession are identified and developed that best fit those needs in each city.

The CFP Foundation and the Indianapolis 2022 host committee have committed $1.5 million for community investments through its legacy program in Indianapolis. In July, the Foundation announced an $800,000 gift to support the creation of the Indiana eLearning Lab. Support for teachers will continue in Indianapolis for years beyond the CFP National Championship with the help of the College Football Playoff Foundation, Extra Yard for Teachers, Teach Indy, and other host city partners.

Launched in 2018, Teach Indy has provided hundreds of educators in Indianapolis and statewide with opportunities for professional development, recognition and rewards for their hard work, as well as ways to connect with each other. Later this fall, the Teach Indy website (teachindynow.org) will be relaunched to feature expanded tools for teachers to find resources and trainings, search for job opportunities, and understand why Indianapolis is the best place for teachers to live, lead, and thrive.

Funding from the CFP Foundation will support Teach Indy in driving the recruitment, development, recognition and retention of high-quality teachers for Indianapolis schools.

“We are thrilled that the College Football Playoff Foundation and 2022 National Championship host committee chose Teach Indy as part of their legacy project, along with the Indiana eLearning Lab,” said Sara Marshall, Senior Director of Talent at The Mind Trust. “Our schools and students win when teachers are given the support, development, and recognition they deserve. The Mind Trust is proud to join Indianapolis Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation in the Teach Indy partnership and look forward to the ways we can continue to elevate our city’s incredible educators.”

“Teachers are the backbone of Indianapolis Public Schools providing socially and emotionally supportive learning environments that ensure access to high-quality curriculum and instruction,” said Aleesia Johnson, IPS superintendent. “The opportunity to recognize and support those working on the front line of our district through the Teach Indy partnership and College Football Playoff Foundation is a well-deserved bonus.”

Teachers interested in learning more about upcoming events and initiatives can follow the College Football Playoff Foundation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @CFPExtraYard and Teach Indy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @TeachIndyNow.

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About the College Football Playoff 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.

About Teach Indy

Teach Indy is a partnership among Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS), the Office of Education Innovation, and The Mind Trust designed to bring and retain outstanding teachers to Indianapolis. Teach Indy seeks to elevate the work and lives of Indianapolis teachers by holding networking events, connecting teachers with their best-fit schools, and fostering teacher appreciation throughout the city, often in partnership with other local organizations. To learn more, visit teachindynow.org and follow Teach Indy (@TeachIndyNow) on social media.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kateri Whitley kwhitley@themindtrust.org; c: 317-801-9682

Brett Daniels bdaniels@collegefootballplayoff.com; o: 469-262-5200