ATLANTA — A special kickoff was held at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School on Tuesday in celebration of Atlanta hosting the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game.
CFP officials joined city and school leaders for the kickoff event. In addition to sports, they're also putting a spotlight on education.
The College Football Playoff Foundation and the Atlanta Football Host Committee are working together to support Pre-K through 12th-grade education through a campaign called the Georgia Teachers Initiative (GTI).
M. Agnes Jones Elementary School Principal Robert Williams shared just how important the partnership was for his students.
"When we considered the partnership ... it was easy -- the connection as we looked at the future of our students. We looked at our elementary school and the tie to the Georgia Teachers Initiative and to literacy," Williams said. "We know that it starts with a strong foundation, which takes place in elementary schools. So, we're overjoyed to have this partnership."
11Alive is also proud to be partnering with the College Football Foundation as they give back to schools and educators.
This is a year-long initiative that includes numerous events and a great community impact stemming from it. One of the events will take place on championship weekend, as the Extra Yard for Teachers Summit will gather teachers from across the state for professional development and to hear inspirational speakers recognize the work of other teachers on the front lines.
The GTI will also support teachers through a multi-million dollar investment in education via resources, grants and recognition activities, including:
- $100,000 in DonorsChoose resources that will fund classroom projects in over 550 schools in nearly 90 counties around Georgia
- An additional $100,000 commitment to support the continuation of Atlanta Mayor Dickens’ “ATL YEAR OF THE YEAR” initiative, which aims at providing safe spaces, including investments in early childhood education and workforce development programs
- Awarding “Innovation Grants,” which will be awarded multiple times throughout the course of the year
- The launch of a weekly “teacher spotlight” that will include a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card that those recognized teachers can use for classroom resources
The 2025 CFP National Championship will take place on Jan. 20, 2025. It will be the second time Atlanta and Mercedes-Benz Stadium has hosted the national title game.