On Monday night, the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff will conclude with the final two teams going head-to-head in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship. While there is plenty of college football excitement all over the metro area, not all of it is happening on the field.

Thanks to a partnership with the Cobb Schools Foundation, the College Football Playoff Foundation (CFPF) visited Tapp Middle School this week and provided new furniture and bookshelves for the school's Media Center. 

The makeover includes new computer stations, tables, chairs, and comfortable seating areas for reading and studying. Working alongside School Specialty, the CFPF has created a vibrant and inclusive media hub at Tapp that provides teachers with the flexible tools, resources, and technology they need to inspire discovery, creativity, and collaboration.

"This will be a great place for tutoring, for classrooms, and for individual students to come in and read, play board games, or socialize in a different and comfortable space," said Tapp's Media Specialist, Jaclyn Krider. "The Media Center is now so much more than where you go to get books. It's a place where imaginations can thrive, knowledge blossoms, and dreams are nurtured."

Tapp was unanimously chosen to receive the makeover by a group of District leaders. Chief of Staff Sherri Hill was one of them. 

"The first reason we immediately thought of Tapp is because you all are amazing," Ms. Hill told the assembled crowd of students, teachers, and guests at the unveiling ceremony. "It's also because there are several upcoming SPLOST projects coming up around the school, and we thought this would be a great place to begin with an incredible space for the students. Thank you so much to the College Football Playoff Foundation and School Specialty for making this a reality!"

School Specialty and the CFPF have a history of implementing Media Center Makeovers to enhance educational environments across the country. These makeovers aim to provide dynamic and unique learning spaces equipped with modern technology and resources to support all students' educational needs. Each organization also donated $1000 to help with ongoing needs and school supplies.

This initiative is part of CFPF's "Extra Yard for Teachers" program, which focuses on improving teacher resources, recognition, and professional development.

The Cobb Schools Foundation is a nonprofit organization established to support the needs of students across Cobb County. Its mission of eliminating barriers and investing in teachers' professional growth aligns perfectly with the goals of CFPF and School Specialty.

The transformation of Tapp's Media Center will have a significant impact on the school's nearly 900 students, providing them with a modernized space that fosters learning and growth. This project exemplifies the positive outcomes that can be achieved when organizations unite around a common goal—unlocking the potential of every learner.

"Part of our mission at Tapp is collaboration, and I say it all the time," said Principal Alvin Thomas. "The Media Center is the hub of our collaboration, and it is so awesome to see what has been done in here. This is for the students first and foremost, and I can't wait to see what they'll do with this space going forward."