One of the great things about working at PEF, is also working with great partners. Two of those great partners are the Pasadena Tournament of Roses and the College Playoff Football Foundation. I was able to witness firsthand as they kicked off Extra Yard for Teachers Week by honoring Julie Silk, a teacher at Jackson STEM Dual Language Magnet Academy. They surprised her with a $1,000 DonorsChoose gift card to use for her classroom resources. Julie’s smile and shocked face was so genuine, that you could not help but smile yourself. I worked with Principal Exposito to make this wonderful surprise happen. Julie was also named the PUSD’s 2021 Teacher of the Year and is an inspiring teacher. Thank you to our community partners that continue to support and recognize our amazing educators.
– Marleni Jimenez, PEF Development Manager
More on Extra Yard for Teachers.
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Kicks Off Extra Yard for Teachers Week – Awards Standout Pasadena Teacher Julie Silk
Silk will receive a $1,000 Donors Choose gift card to use in her classroom
The Pasadena Tournament of Roses along with the CFP Foundation celebrated the Big Day for Teachers by honoring Pasadena teacher Julie Silk with a $1,000 Donors Choose gift card to use toward student resources. The Big Day for Teachers is a part of the CFP’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week which celebrates educators across the country.
Silk is one of the founding teachers of Pasadena Unified School District’s Dual Language Immersion Program. She has taught first-grade Spanish Dual Immersion for 12 years, first at San Rafael Elementary and currently at Jackson STEM Dual Language Elementary. She joined PUSD in 2004.
Silk, who was named the PUSD’s 2021 Teacher of the Year, is known to be an inspiring teacher who engages students and their families. She adapted quickly during the pandemic during last school year’s setup of distance learning. Without having met her students in person, Silk cultivated strong bonds through whole class lessons and intentional support through small groups, focused lessons, and individual attention.
Tournament of Roses President Bob Miller presented Silk with a Donors Choose Gift Card in a surprise visit to Jackson Elementary on Tuesday.
“We are thrilled to celebrate Ms. Silk during the CFP Extra Yard for Teachers Week and the Big Day for Teachers,” Miller said. “The theme for this year’s Tournament of Roses is “Dream. Believe. Achieve. “, and Ms. Silk has done just that through her work with her students and throughout her community. She’s an amazing educator and we are proud that we can continue to support amazing teachers like Ms. Silk through our work with the CFP Foundation.”
The CFP Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers Week is an 8-day celebration, from September 10-18, that honors and recognizes great teachers. Throughout the week, the college football community, including universities, conferences, bowl games, and ESPN, goes out of its way to let teachers know they are valued and respected.
