The College Football Playoff Foundation is honoring teachers in a BIG way! Through their primary platform Extra Yard for Teachers, the foundation and the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl are both giving back to teachers through various campaign efforts, one of which includes the #BigDayforTeachers initiative! On Monday, September 14, 2020 the foundation awarded an Atlanta Public Schools teacher, with the most funded DonorsChoose projects, a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card. The lucky winner, Ms. Shirley Pendergrass of Hollis Innovation Academy was chosen as the front runner with 73 projects listed on DonorsChoose!
Ms. Pendergrass, a 2nd grade teacher, has been an educator for ten years and joined the Hollis Innovation Academy family four years ago through the District’s partnership with Westside Future Fund. The partnership ensures each classroom at Hollis includes two teachers. In addition to teaching 2nd grade, Ms. Pendergrass serves as the sponsor for Hollis’ middle school mentorship program entitled R.O.S.E.S. The program introduces students to robotics, coding, sowing and more. She has consistently demonstrated an ability to serve her students and entire school community. Ms. Pendergrass uses DonorsChoose to ensure her students have continued access to supplies and resources needed to achieve their educational goals.
She expressed her gratitude for the gift stating, ” Thank you! I am honored and at a loss for words! My mind is already thinking of items I need.” When asked how she planned to use the DonorsChoose gift card she expressed, “I have some Cue robotics that will help teach the girls how to operate Java, which is the next level. This will help my students when they go to high school.”
We are extremely proud of Ms. Pendergrass for utilizing DonorsChoose to connect with a thriving community of donors eager to fund our teachers needs! To help fund APS teachers like Ms. Pendergrass on DonorsChoose, please visit the APS DonorsChoose page.
