The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation and the New Orleans College Football Championship Host Committee (NOCFCHC) hosted an Extra Yard for Teachers Teacher Appreciation Party for teachers and staff at Rock ‘N’ Bowl in New Orleans on Friday. More than 500 New Orleans area teachers and guests were in attendance for an evening of free food, drinks and live music.

The CFP Foundation and EYFT use the popular platform of college football and the CFP National Championship to support education across the country. In conjunction with the College Football Playoff National Championship in New Orleans (January 13, 2020), a primary focus of the efforts is teacher recruitment and retention in New Orleans public schools, since there has been a lack of stability in the teacher workforce. A key part of this effort is recognizing teachers with celebration events that are planned to engage with all 2,700 in the system, including Friday’s Rock ‘N’ Bowl event, complimentary tickets to Tulane’s October 12 football game, plus a series of lunches across the community.

The highlight of Friday’s Rock ‘N’ Bowl event was the presentation of a School Specialty Media Room Makeover powered by the Sun Belt. Each educator in attendance was entered into a drawing to win the makeover and Christopher Hatten was selected on behalf of KIPP Central City. The Media Room Makeover is valued at $50,000.

In addition, representatives from Entergy, the major host committee local partner, were on hand to assist with the operation of the event. Entergy also provided a bonus raffle prize as David Ellis, President & CEO of Entergy New Orleans, presented an autographed Drew Brees jersey to Kylle Arnold Kolk from Eleanor McMain High School.

Guests were welcomed by Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr., the superintendent of New Orleans Public Schools, while Britton Banowsky, the executive director of the CFP Foundation, gave an overview of the Foundation’s efforts in New Orleans and around the country. Judge Monique Morial, the president of the Allstate Sugar Bowl (the driving force of the New Orleans Host Committee), gave direct thanks to the teachers in attendance, and Keith Gill, commissioner of the New Orleans-based Sun Belt Conference, drew the winning name for the Media Room Makeover.

“Our city’s teachers are leading our students to achieve great things and deserve our deepest appreciation every day,” said Lewis. “The teacher appreciation events sponsored by the College Football Playoff Foundation are a thoughtful way to thank our educators for their hard-work and dedication that mold our students’ lives in a positive direction. As a former teacher myself, I want to encourage the entire community to thank and celebrate our educators day in and day out.”

The CFP Foundation will continue its teacher-appreciation efforts in New Orleans with Tulane’s home football game against UConn at Yulman Stadium on October 12. Local teachers have the opportunity to receive a free ticket for themselves and a guest while supplies last. Click here for more information.

The overall teacher-focused efforts of the NOCFCHC will continue well after the 2020 CFP National Championship. As with past cities that have hosted the national championship game, the plan is a long-range effort to make a strong, sustainable impact on the local area’s education.

Media Contacts
Tony Fay, Tony Fay PR | P: 972-273-0794, tony@tonyfaypr.com
John Sudsbury, Allstate Sugar Bowl | P: 504-427-7076, johns@sugarbowl.org

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About the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yard for Teachers
The CFP Foundation is the community investment 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 the New Orleans College Football National Championship Host Committee
The NOCFNCHC, led by the Allstate Sugar Bowl and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, works with the CFP to promote, organize and execute the 2020 CFP National Championship and its related events. Other entities in support of the bid included SMG, the management company of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the New Orleans Saints, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New Orleans Tourism and Marketing Corporation, as well as multiple government agencies on the state and local level. For more information, visit 2020Nola.com.

About NOLA Public Schools
NOLA Public Schools is the public school district for Orleans Parish, which includes the district’s elected school board, known as the Orleans Parish School Board and the district’s administration led by NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Henderson Lewis Jr. NOLA Public Schools currently oversees 78 public schools. For more information, visit www.nolapublicschools.com. For updates, follow NOLA Public Schools on Facebook @NOLAPublicSchools, Instagram @nolaps and Twitter @NOLAPSchools.