With summer winding down and the new school year upon us, there is no better time to acknowledge the incredible dedication and hard work of educators in Georgia. On July 24, Comcast Business, in partnership with the Georgia Teachers Initiative, treated 100 teachers and guests at The Battery for a kick-off brunch, followed by a Braves game group outing. The brunch was not just a celebration, but also an event focused on providing teachers with the resources and tools they need for success in the upcoming school year.
A Partner in the Community
Known for providing businesses large and small with high-speed Internet and state-of-the-art cybersecurity, Comcast Business is also well-versed in the educational sector. Heather Orrico, Vice President for Comcast Business, Enterprise Sales and Engineering, greeted the guests in attendance. She highlighted the importance of teachers in shaping the future and Comcast Business’s commitment to the community. “Comcast Business is proud to be the connectivity provider for the majority of school systems not only in the Atlanta area but across the state of Georgia,” said Orrico. “We know the challenges educators face and we want to make the digital experience for you and your students the best it can be.”
In addition to having 15 years of experience in providing Internet for the educational community, Comcast is also dedicated to bridging the digital divide by providing low-cost, high-speed Internet access and equipment to low-income families through the Internet Essentials program.
Empowering Georgia Educators
The Georgia Foundation for Public Education, the College Football Playoff Foundation, the Atlanta Football Host Committee along with a host of campaign partners joined forces to create the Georgia Teachers Initiative. Atlanta is gearing up to be the first city to host a second national championship game in January of 2025. “When a city agrees to host a national championship game, they agree to set aside funds specifically to recognize the teachers and educators close to the game,” explained Margaret Frank from the College Football Playoff Foundation and the Georgia Teachers Initiative. “We are thrilled to support teachers not just in Atlanta but across the state,” added Frank.
Many teachers pay for basic classroom supplies out of their own pockets. On average, Georgia teachers spend over $500 on supplies without reimbursement. The Georgia Teachers Initiative was set up to equip educators with much needed tools. Through an investment of $1.5M, The Georgia Teachers Initiative will support students and communities this year by providing educators with leading edge resources, professional development opportunities, and enhanced classroom technology to better prepare students for the digital future. At the brunch, two elementary teachers were awarded $1000 grants for their classrooms, ensuring they can start the school year on the right foot.
Winning Together
As the teachers left the brunch and headed into the ballfield, there was a sense of excitement and readiness to tackle the school year ahead. Kicking off the Georgia Teachers Initiative with this celebration was a meaningful start to the school year, reinforcing the importance of community, support, and connectivity. All Georgia teachers are encouraged to join the GTI community for access to teacher perks, grant opportunities, weekly giveaways and more. People in the community can nominate a teacher who has made an impact through this form. As connectivity has become an essential tool for learning, parents can get more information about affordable Internet options from Comcast here. For more information about Xfinity’s entire suite of products, click here. Kudos to our amazing community partners and here’s to a great school year.
