The Arizona Cardinals have had continuous support from their fanbase over the years, but this year the Salt River Project gave Arizona educators an additional reason to root for the team.
The Salt River Project (SRP), an Arizona-based utility company, partnered with the NFL team to start a fundraiser known as the “Touchdown for Teachers” program. Every time the Cardinals scored a touchdown this season, the program gave $500 to two teachers.
“When the Cardinals approached us with this idea for Touchdown for Teachers, we thought what better way to support our local team and also help teachers out in the classroom,” said SRP Education Representative Kevin Rolfe.
The Touchdown for Teachers program was not only a fun opportunity but acted as a way to get money directly into teachers’ hands.
“We all know that teachers spend a lot of their own money to get materials for their classroom,” Rolfe said. “So to get them that money directly so they can put it to good use and help their students, that is always a priority for us.”
In the 2021 season, the Cardinals scored 49 touchdowns, resulting in a total of $49,000 being gifted to teachers.
Educators have used the Touchdown for Teachers money for all different purposes from markers in a kindergarten classroom to hardware for a vocational school.
“I plan to use it for books for my classroom library, books to send home with my students, science projects, and materials for my classroom,” said Tara Gleash, a teacher from Lookout Mountain Elementary.
Gleash is a longtime Cardinals fan, and even flew to Tampa to support the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLII. She considered herself “one of the lucky teachers” to have earned the money.
“So many of us teachers use our own money for classroom projects, and the extra hands-on materials to keep kids engaged,” Gleash said
The Cardinals ended up scoring over 50 touchdowns this season which led to grants being given to educators across the state, even helping the Downtown area with two teachers from Whittier Elementary School.
SRP is committed to improving the community, especially their focus area, which is located in Maricopa County.
SRP plans to provide “more than $200,000 in direct funding each year to help teachers bring innovative math, science and social studies projects into their classrooms,” according to their website.
Although the football season is over, teachers still have a chance to earn some money. SRP is offering history and social science teachers the opportunity to earn grants up to $2,500 until February 28.
“I think anytime we’re getting money into the education system, it’s great” said Rolfe as SRP will continue to help Arizona educators one touchdown at a time.
Contact the reporter at svolante@asu.edu.
