Buccaneers surprise teachers in Tampa with $ 50,000 in new technology

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Organization received a standing ovation from a crowd of teachers on Monday afternoon. This applause did not result from a game on the field, but from a game in the community.

“They were overwhelmed with the excitement, as were we,” said Tara Battiato, vice president of Community Impact for the Buccaneers.

She admitted that this particular project took shape earlier this year. It is tied to the team’s Social Justice Initiative as well as the Youth Leadership Program.

“We started talking about our Verizon Digital Divide Grant around the Super Bowl, so we worked with Verizon and the NFL,” said Battiato. “Seeing it come to fruition and having the excitement of the teachers today was really great.”

The Buccaneers surprised teachers at Young Middle Magnet School in Tampa with more than $ 50,000 in new technology. The donation included more than 100 devices designed to help teachers and students improve the overall classroom learning experience.

“This is really a turning point for us,” said Headmistress Dr. Henrissa Berry, “because we get so close to the 1: 1 ratio for our students and equipment. More importantly, it allows our teachers to take advantage of all of the various online resources to complement their lessons in the classroom without having to go to the labs and travel from place to place with their classes. “

Berry shared the plans for the new technology.

“We prioritized our English and math classes and they currently have equipment in their departments so we can now transfer and distribute the wealth to our science and social science departments that have been waiting for the same level of access,” explained Berry. “We are ready. The teachers are ready.”

Yes, the teachers are definitely excited to get their hands on the new equipment.

“You said you were ready. They are ready to put their carts in their rooms and use the devices with their students, ”said Berry. “My social studies teacher says, ‘Give it to me! I’m done!’ So it’s just an opportunity that we couldn’t have gotten without the support of the Buccaneers and that’s why we’re eternally grateful for it, eternally grateful. “

The announcement got teachers to clap and cheer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the changes they are making in that community.

“Our Youth Leadership Program is really the focus of this initiative,” said Battiato, “and here at Young in Tampa to provide these teachers with the resources to help our students, our mentees, thrive together.” Players and our staff, it’s very exciting. “

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