September 10, 2021 / Hannah Riffle

Extra Yard for Teachers Week is here!

By Hannah Riffle

Every year, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation celebrates Extra Yard for Teachers Week. Leading up to the big game happening in Indianapolis in January, the 2022 CFP Indianapolis Host Committee and the CFP Foundation, along with several community partners, are collaborating in a week-long celebration of teachers from Sept. 10-18. 

Here’s how we’re celebrating:


Friday, September 10

Any Indiana K-12 teacher can enter to win free tickets to any Indianapolis Indians home game at Victory Field happening during Extra Yard for Teachers Week, with games happening each day between Tuesday, September 14th and Sunday, September 19th. Teachers can request two to four tickets for one of the six games available, while supplies last. In addition to the free tickets, teachers will also be recognized during each of the games and those attending the game on Thursday, September 16th can participate in an on-site activation booth hosted by the 2022 College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee. Interested teachers can sign up to request tickets by visiting the form linked here


Sunday, Sept. 12

Extra Yard for Teachers State Park Day

All Indiana teachers and their families will have free access to all state parks in Indiana by showing their teacher ID for Extra Yard for Teacher Indiana State Park Day. Five parks will feature giveaways, games, and park activities from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. These parks include:  

  • Indiana Dunes State Park - City West Shelter
  • Salamonie Lake- Beach Shelter
  • Patoka Lake- Beach Shelter #1
  • Fort Benjamin Harrison State Park - Visitor Center
  • Brown County State Park - Nature Center

Monday, Sept. 13

Who Is Your Indiana Teacher of the Year? 

The Who Is Your Indiana Teacher of the Year? giveaway begins! Recognize teachers you admire by submitting an online form. Nominated teachers will be entered for a chance to win experiences, gift cards and gift bags. One nominator and the teacher they nominate will win two tickets to the CFP National Championship. After submitting your online form, be sure to tell us about the teacher you nominate on social media using #INTOY21. 


Tuesday, Sept. 14

Today is the Big Day for Teachers celebration. Join us in going big for teachers by using #BigDayForTeachers on social media. 

Media Center Makeover

We’re unveiling the media center makeover at Victory College Prep, including the addition of refreshed books, tablets, virtual reality headsets, a projector, a 75” TV monitor, and a bluetooth speaker system. Four Indy-area schools – Southport Middle School, Garden City Elementary, James and Rosemary Phalen Leadership Academy and Victory College Prep – were selected for media center makeovers based on demonstrated needs within the community.  These makeovers provide resources for the schools to transform spaces with enhanced technology and creative design to meet the demands of 21st century teaching and learning. 

100 for 100 Indiana Learning Lab Giveaways

We’re giving away $10,000 in $100 Donors Choose gift cards to the first 100 teachers to register for the Indiana Learning Lab. The Indiana Learning Lab is a personalized microlearning platform filled with readily accessible resources and lesson ideas grounded in solid instructional pedagogy. The Learning Lab is funded by the Indiana Department of Education and provides teaching and learning support for educators and families. This support includes access to teaching experts via live chat, weekly live workshops, and an open community forum to collaborate with others across the state of Indiana. Only first time registrants for the Indiana Learning Lab will be eligible for the gift cards. 

A+ Lunches

On the Big Day, we’ll be partnering with the College Football Playoff Foundation to provide lunch for teachers at the four Notre Dame Ace Academies schools in Indianapolis, as a way to both celebrate and recognize their teachers for all of their hard work. 


Wednesday, Sept. 15

Behind the Scenes Tour of the Indianapolis International Airport for Teachers

The 2022 College Football Playoff (CFP) Indianapolis Host Committee is partnering with the Indianapolis Airport Authority to offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Indianapolis International Airport (IND) as part of College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week. This experience will include a tour of the airport, a demonstration from Explosive Detection K9s, a public art walkthrough, and a look at areas normally closed to the public like baggage handling. Following the tour, the teachers will enjoy a complimentary Happy Hour in the airport’s 317 Tap Room. Invited teachers are from Avon Community Schools, Plainfield Community Schools, MSD Wayne Township, and MSD Decatur Township. 


Friday, Sept. 17

KIPP Indy Public Schools Professional Development

The 2022 College Football Playoff Indianapolis Host Committee and College Football Playoff Foundation are providing $10,000 to KIPP Indy Public Schools to help fund a math-focused professional development initiative for teachers and students from their three schools: KIPP Indy Unite Elementary School, KIPP Legacy High School, and KIPP Indy College Prep Middle School. On Friday, September 17th, we’ll be celebrating this announcement with a check presentation and goodies for KIPP teachers. 

Tailgate Tour

This fall, the Indianapolis Host Committee is traveling to high school football games statewide to cheer on teachers and coaches through the inaugural Indiana Tailgate Tour. The Tailgate Tour kicked off on Friday, August 20 and will continue through the middle of October. At each stop we provide a game day breakfast for the home team’s teachers and bring games, giveaways, and opportunities for the school and community to recognize and celebrate the teachers in their lives. Join us at our match ups during Extra Yard for Teacher Week when Danville takes on Tri-West Hendricks at Tri-West, and as North Vermillion meets Riverton Parke at home. 


Saturday, Sept. 18

Teach Indy New Teacher Program Kickoff 

We are partnering with The Mind Trust and Teach Indy to recognize new teachers in Center Township. 478 new teachers have been welcomed into our city with gift bags and invitations to join us on Saturday, September 18 from 9:45am-12:15pm for a virtual zumba class lead by Joi DeFrantz and a yoga class with Lisa Andriate, along with a conversation with leaders and community members from Victory College Prep and The New Teacher Project (TNTP). New teachers will be given a scavenger hunt for great local businesses and places too, so you can get out and enjoy Indianapolis after our virtual gathering. The participating teachers will end their day on Saturday night at the Indy Eleven game against Louisville City FC at the Michael A. Carroll Track and Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. If you are a new teacher in Center Township, go to Teach Indy for more information about this program.

We know great teachers change lives! Indiana educators, please join us for these celebrations of your hard work and dedication. Community members, help us go the Extra Yard for Teachers by elevating and celebrating the teachers in your lives.