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Essex teacher receives Military Bowl College Football Playoff Foundation grant

ESSEX, MD—An Essex school teacher has been awarded a special grant.

The Military Bowl Foundation and the College Football Playoff Foundation support teachers who have gone above and beyond to help their students.

Through the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program, the Military Bowl is providing grants to the following teachers in the National Capital Region to supplement their classrooms and classes:

  • Gerta Davis, Barnaby Manor Elementary School: Air Force veteran teaches third graders and students with autism. Plans to use the grant for a balance ball chair, pencil grippers and sensory items for the classroom at her Oxon Hill school.
  • Brent Driessen, Deep Creek Elementary School: Served eight years in the Marines and his son is currently serving in the military. Teaches physical education and STEM at his Baltimore school and is passionate about helping children, especially those in disadvantaged environments.
  • Klya Johnson, Rose Valley Elementary School: First-year teacher at her Fort Washington school has been dedicated to her students, assembling community support to help build out her classroom. Her aunts served in the Air Force.
  • Katie Kyle, Pershing Hill Elementary School: Third grade teacher also is the eCoach at her school, which is located on Fort Meade. One of her grandfathers served in the Marines and the other served in the Army.
  • Kevin Odlum, Liberty High School: Served 10 years in the Navy as a helicopter pilot before being medically retired and now is in his 12th year as a high school teacher. Is the offensive line coach for the Liberty High football team in Fauquier County.
  • Felicia Paschal-Gilmore, Patrick Henry Elementary School: Fourth-grade teacher in Alexandria plans to use the grant for much-needed school supplies and curriculum materials.
  • Ivette Quarles, Mount Rainier Elementary School: Fifth grade math and science teacher served 22 years in the military, including nine years enlisted in the Air Force after which she attended Officer Candidate School and served 13 years in the Coast Guard, retiring as a lieutenant commander. Her husband served in the Navy.
  • Daniel Reschke, Stafford High School: A former technical sergeant in the Air Force, who served more than nine years on active duty and three years in the reserves. His father served in the Air Force and both of his brothers also served in the military. Teaches history and government.
  • Lillian Rivera, Mount Rainier Elementary School: Teaches English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is a military daughter, former Army spouse, has brothers serving in the Navy and Air Force and her three children all serve in the military. Recognized as the VFW Maryland Teacher of the Year in 2017.
  • Kelly Tibbetts, Pershing Hill Elementary School: First grade teacher at a school that located on Fort Meade. Several close family members served in the military and her husband works at the Department of Defense.

These teachers represent six different school districts from throughout Mid-Atlantic Region, ranging from Baltimore County in Maryland to Stafford and Fauquier counties in Virginia. All of these teachers have been invited to attend this year’s Military Bowl, where they will be recognized on the field during the game.

“What an incredible group of teachers!” Military Bowl Foundation President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “We know the important role that teachers play in the development of our youth and the Military Bowl is excited to partner with the College Football Playoff Foundation and its Extra Yard for Teachers program to recognize some of the incredible men and women who shape the minds of the next generation.”

This year’s Military Bowl presented by Peraton matches Duke against UCF on Wednesday, December 28 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis kicking off at 2 p.m. ET and televised on ESPN.

Tickets are now on sale. Proceeds from the Military Bowl benefit the USO and Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families and caregivers.

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