STATESBORO - Georgia Southern Athletics partnered with the CFP Extra Yard for Teachers initiative to show appreciation for teachers throughout Bulloch, Chatham and Liberty Counties, the home locations of the University's three campuses, by awarding twenty $250 classroom improvement grants to deserving teachers. The award receipients were recognized at last Saturday's football game against Ball State in Paulson Stadium.

Grants were awarded based on grant applications and itemized budgets submitted before the deadline, and a committee consisting of College of Education faculty and students completed a double blind review of grant applications, where all personal and identifying information was removed from application information. Grant recipients will be notified no later than the second week in October, and a representative from Georgia Southern Athletics and/or the College of Education will visit schools to present a check to each winner on a date that is convenient for the schools, grant recipients, and University representatives.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation's primary platform, Extra Yard for Teachers, elevates the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering educators through the implementation of programs in four focus areas: resources, recognition, recruitment and professional development.

Below is a list of the award winners:
Bulloch County:
Ashlee Lindee: Statesboro High School- Sensory Calm Down Area
Kiersten Morrison: Statesboro High School- Special Education Flexible Seating
Amanda Wheeler: Statesboro High School- Adulting-Resumes & Cover Letters for the Real
World
Amber Tapley: Southeast Bulloch Middle School- We READ Everyday! Project
Jennifer Johnson: Southeast Bulloch Middle School- Coffee Shop Project
Diana Hendricks: Sallie Zetterower Elementary- Secret Stories-Cracking the Reading Code
with the Brain in Mind
Angela B Jones: Portal Elementary School- The Panther Cafe
Nicole Riggs : Nevils Elementary School- Improving Intrinsic Motivation with Project-Based
Learning
Tonya Gilchrist: Langston Chapel Middle School- Flexible Seating for Partners Project
Katy Outler: Multiple Schools Served- BOOM Learning for Virtual Students

Liberty County:
Carla Schaadt: Liberty County High School- Make it Last
Mindy Snell: Liberty County High School- Chaise-ing Success
Nakisia Sims: Liberty County High School- "Show Us the World" Fashion and Art Show
Tiffany Leon-Peterson: Taylors Creek Elementary School- Oh, So Chick!
T'Challa O'Bryant: Taylors Creek Elementary School- Professional School Counselor
Becky Busby: Frank Long Elementary- Dragon Den Project
Kerisa Taylor: Button Gwinnett Elementary- Expand Your Reading Palate- Book Tasting

Chatham County:
Linda Rowland: West Chatham Elementary- Math Mosaics; Learning Symmetry through Art
and Manipulatives
Alea Hicks: White Bluff Elementary School- Teach Like A Champion/ GREAT Initiative
Mary Hannan: May Howard Elementary- Hydroponic Science
Courtney Streeter: Carrie E. Gould Elementary- Cultural Representation Matters