Teachers in northwest Louisiana are set to benefit from significant financial support as the Independence Bowl Foundation awards grants to local educators. For the fifth consecutive year, the Foundation, in collaboration with the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program, is providing $1,000 to each of 29 local teachers.
Eligible educators hail from several parishes, including Caddo, Bossier, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster. Fans of the Independence Bowl nominated their preferred teachers for this recognition. Since its inception in 2021, the Independence Bowl’s Extra Yard for Teachers initiative has contributed a total of $142,000 to local teachers and educational projects, significantly impacting the community.
Impact on Classrooms and Students
According to a recent news release, the donations have funded 164 classrooms and reached approximately 25,000 students in the region. Each selected teacher will receive a Donors Choose certificate to finance a classroom project of their choice. Additionally, they will each receive tickets to the Independence Bowl, scheduled to take place on December 30, 2023, at 1 p.m.
The list of recipients includes a diverse group of educators, such as Pam Anderson from Elm Grove Middle, Cassaundra Anglin from Walnut Hill Elementary, and Jamie Fields from North Highlands Elementary. Other notable recipients are Maureen Barclay from Captain Shreve High and Jennifer Westfall from Benton Middle.
Through its partnership with the Extra Yard for Teachers program, the Independence Bowl Foundation has allocated $40,000 to local teachers this year alone. In September, the partnership further supported education by donating $1,000 to two additional teachers from Eden Gardens Magnet Elementary and Waller Elementary.
This ongoing commitment to supporting educators highlights the importance of community involvement in enhancing the educational landscape in northwest Louisiana. The Independence Bowl Foundation continues to play a vital role in empowering teachers, fostering innovation in classrooms, and ultimately benefiting students across the region.
