10 teachers to be honored on-field before Atlanta Braves game on May 6th
Comcast and the Atlanta Braves will celebrate local educators during the Most Valuable Teachers program pre-game presentation on May 6th at Truist Park. Mike Mitchell, Comcast Central Division Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs, and Danielle Bedasse, Vice President of Community Affairs at the Atlanta Braves and Executive Director of the Atlanta Braves Foundation, will recognize the ten teachers on the field. Additionally, Comcast has donated $50,000 to the Atlanta Braves Foundation.
“Teachers are crucial team players in the health, well-being and educational success of our children and youth. Their classrooms are the ‘minor leagues’ for our future doctors, scientists, business leaders, world changers, and perhaps even Major League Baseball players,” said Bedasse. “The Most Valuable Teachers Program, presented by Xfinity, was created to meet the needs of teachers, and has allowed us to invest in our schools in a meaningful way. We are honored to celebrate these Most Valuable Teachers tomorrow at Truist Park, and we are grateful to our fans across Braves Country for their ongoing support of this program.”
Most Valuable Teachers, presented by Xfinity, is a program that supports educators in the southeast by crowdsourcing funds to equip teachers with school supplies, special education resources and technology. Teachers in the program post their specific project needs on the Most Valuable Teachers portal and Braves fans can contribute. The Atlanta Braves Foundation matches every donation.
“Educators play a significant role in our society and help shape our future leaders,” said Mitchell. “We thank the Atlanta Braves and the Atlanta Braves Foundation for their partnership on this meaningful program and look forward to celebrating the contributions of the Most Valuable Teachers.”
The following honorees were selected for organizing projects that benefit and impact students in the categories of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math), basic needs, food security, warmth and special needs:
- Adreana Beaumont: Occupational therapist at Burnett Elementary School (Douglasville)
- Leighann Blackwood: Social worker at John Lewis Invictus Academy (Atlanta)
- Amber (AC) Dennard: Band director at John Lewis Invictus Academy (Atlanta)
- Kensley Fields: 6th grade social studies teacher at Rex Middle School (Rex, Ga.)
- Theresa Hines: Gifted teacher at Peachcrest Elementary School (Decatur)
- Ben Hunt: Principal at Eastside Elementary School (Dalton)
- LaToya Morgan: STEAM specialist at John Lewis Invictus Academy (Atlanta)
- Susan Whaley: 8th grade reading teacher at Smitha Middle School (Marietta)
- La’Tonya Winfrey-Walls: Social worker at South Atlanta High School (Atlanta)
- Lotunja Wright: Library media specialist at Jonesboro Middle School (Jonesboro)
The teachers and their guests will also be treated to a pre-game reception and tickets to the game. In 2022, the Most Valuable Teachers program served 64 teachers in 55 schools and impacted more than 11,000 students across the Southeast.
