For the past two National Football League (NFL) seasons, Salt River Project - more commonly known as SRP - has provided grants to Arizona teachers and schools. Through a program called Touchdowns for Teachers, SRP grants two teachers $500 for every touchdown the Arizona Cardinals score. In the week 12 game against the Los Angeles Rams, the Cardinals and SRP presented Greenfield Jr. High School math teacher Jami Hagen with a Touchdown for Teachers grant. Mrs. Hagen shares her experiences with the program and how it might benefit her students and classroom.
It all started when Mrs. Hagen received an email from SRP stating that she had been selected for the Touchdowns for Teachers program and was being awarded $500 to be used for the “purchase of hands-on material to improve lessons and class engagement.” Filled with joy, Mrs. Hagen was eager and excited to share the news with her students.
Shortly after, she was invited to attend the Cardinals game where she was able to meet and take photos with Defensive End Jonathan Ledbetter and join the team on the field during their warm-up. Some of Mrs. Hagen’s students even went to the football game to cheer on their favorite team and their favorite teacher.
“Only two teachers were chosen from the award recipients for this honor. Being on the field before the game, meeting Jonathan Ledbetter, and watching the team warm up was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me,” said Jami Hagen. “Having some of my students in the stands just made this experience so much more special.”
After getting her once-in-a-lifetime football experience, Mrs. Hagen now has the important task of choosing classroom materials to purchase for her students to use.
“I’m excited to spend this grant money on my students. I’m not exactly sure what I’ll purchase, but my students have been giving me some suggestions,” added Mrs. Hagen. “As a math teacher, we use quite a few tools, resources and manipulatives in the classroom, so I’m trying to focus on getting something that will benefit my students the most.”
Mrs. Hagen then expressed her gratitude for the Touchdown for Teachers program, saying that the grant relieves financial strain and helps provide supplies for teachers to inspire their students.
To learn more about Touchdowns for Teachers, including information on how to apply, visit .