Teach for America Texas Teachers Recognized with Award from the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers

Dallas, Texas, September 18, 2024— Teach For America (TFA) Texas in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s (CFP) Extra Yard for Teachers Week today announced that five early educators have received $250 each in recognition of their incredible impact and unwavering commitment in the classroom. These teachers were selected for their leadership, dedication to student success, and contributions to building a brighter future for their communities through education.

The recipients of this year’s awards have demonstrated exceptional teaching practices, from fostering inclusive environments and integrating innovative lesson plans to ensuring their students are equipped with the skills to succeed. Each of these educators is a testament to the power of positive influence in education, as they go above and beyond to inspire and support their students.

"The College Football Playoff Foundation is happy to provide support to expand the recruitment of great teachers.  With organizations like TFA, we are supporting pipelines of teachers who are connected to their communities and will share their experience with the students they will teach,” said. Britton Banowsky, of the CFP Foundation.

The 2024 award recipients include:

Cortney House, TFA Dallas-Fort Worth 2023 Corps Member

7th Grade ELAR Teacher, E.D. Walker Middle School

·       House was nominated for her outstanding dedication to strengthening community and continuous learning. She fosters strong relationships with colleagues, students, families, and corps members, listening to diverse perspectives to create solutions that support student growth and resilience. This year, she developed a Google site with a feedback form to improve communication with families, ensuring timely and positive updates. House also leads the student council, serves on the parent committee, and helped organize events where 15 families participated. Her efforts to engage families, including supporting them in preparing their students for taking state exams, reflect her commitment to partnering with them in their students' educational journeys.

Marisset Oporta, TFA Dallas-Fort Worth 2023 Corps Member

4th/5th Grade ELA (Bilingual) Teacher, Christene C. Moss Elementary School

·       Oporta was nominated for her exceptional dedication to her students and the TFA community. She consistently works to meet her students' needs and actively strengthens the community by hosting events, supporting new corps members, and will be supporting efforts to recruit new teachers this year. As a first-year teacher, Oporta achieved the highest score on her teacher evaluation system from TFA and exceeded expectations with 88% of her students improving on the reading growth exam, showcasing her remarkable impact and natural teaching talent.

Yessenia Ramos-Silva, TFA Houston 2023 Corps Member

9th Grade Biology Teacher, Yes Prep North Central

·       Ramos-Silva was nominated for her exceptional impact as an educator, teaching with authenticity and her values of respect and humanity. Her students demonstrate a deep understanding of biology, consistently applying their knowledge both in and outside the classroom. Ramos-Silva’s commitment to fostering a strong academic foundation and creating a meaningful learning environment has made a lasting impression on her students.

John Froozan, TFA Rio Grande Valley 2024 Corps Member

U.S. History and Government Teacher, PSJA North Early College High School

·       Froozan was recognized as an exemplary educator for his commitment to equity as core to his classroom instruction. He thoughtfully designs lessons that not only engage students but also encourage critical thinking and dialogue. His students have praised him for sparking deep reflection. John’s hands-on approach empowers students to create, research, and express themselves, fostering a classroom environment rich in student voice. Additionally, his colleagues frequently seek his guidance on lesson planning and cultivating student agency, reflecting his leadership and impact beyond the classroom.

Charisma Soriano, TFA San Antonio 2024 Corps Member

8TH Grade ELAR Teacher, Tafolla Middle School

·       Soriano was nominated for her exceptional ability to create a welcoming and safe environment wherever she goes. Her positive energy lifts everyone around her, and she uses her influence to elevate the experiences of others, even when they’re not present. Soriano’s deep reflection on her actions and her commitment to pushing systems for change set her apart. Known as a “culture queen” within the corps, she brings people together, checks on others' well-being, and works to find balance and sustainability for herself. Her impact on students is profound, as she meets them where they are, making her a true treasure in TFA San Antonio.

“We are immensely grateful for the generosity of the College Football Playoff Foundation. Their support of educators across Texas aligns with our work as we continue our mission of expanding educational opportunities in the community, especially for our most vulnerable students,” said Toni DeGuire Parker, Head of Development of TFA Dallas-Fort Worth. “Education is a key driver of economic mobility for our young people. Our educators work countless hours educating and preparing young people for a future filled with unlimited opportunities and we are immensely grateful for partners that pour directly into our teachers,” DeGuire Parker added.

For more information about TFA, visit www.teachforamerica.org. For more information about CFP, visit www.cfp-foundation.org.  

About Teach For America Texas

Teach For America Texas (TFA Texas) works in partnership with local districts and charter schools to expand educational opportunities for children. TFA Texas develops a diverse corps of outstanding leaders who make an initial two-year commitment to teach in high-need schools and become lifelong leaders in the effort to end educational inequity. Today, TFA Texas is a force of over 6,000 corps members and alumni impacting more than 300,000 students in pursuit of profound systemic change. From classroom to school-systems positions, these leaders are reimagining education to realize the day when every child has an equal opportunity to learn, lead, thrive and co-create a future filled with possibility. Teach For America is a proud member of the AmeriCorps national service network. For more information, visit www.teachforamerica.org. 

About the College Football Playoff Foundation

The College Football Playoff Foundation (@CFPExtraYard) is the 501(c)3 non profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff (@CFBPlayoff) and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and nonprofits to support educators and improve U.S. student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education across the country. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.

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