SAN DIEGO, CA – Poway Unified School District is proud to announce that Carissa Jones-Fletcher, a beloved educator and coach at Poway High School, was honored with a surprise $1,000 classroom gift as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Big Day for Teachers celebration.
On Tuesday, September 16, during one of Carissa’s P.E. classes, students and staff gathered to cheer her on. The Poway High cheer team led the way, coming in with representatives from San Diego State University with a giant check while her students erupted in applause. The celebration was part of Extra Yard for Teachers Week, a nationwide effort to recognize the outstanding work of educators.
Carissa, a finalist for County Teacher of the Year, has spent over a decade fostering student growth, teamwork, and a positive school culture. She is best known for founding Poway High’s Unified Sports P.E. program, which brings together students of all abilities to learn, play, and build friendships. Her leadership in this program has become a model for inclusivity on campus and across the district.
In addition to Unified P.E., Carissa mentors student-athletes and strengthens community connections, making her a trusted leader both in the classroom and on the field. The $1,000 award will help enhance her instruction resources and continue her mission of building an inclusive environment for all learners.
Poway Unified congratulates Carissa Jones-Fletcher on this well-deserved recognition and thanks the College Football Playoff Foundation for celebrating the incredible educators who make a difference every day.