Rossville Elementary School teacher Michele Houser has been awarded a Big Ten Classroom Resource Grant, earning more than $4,000 to expand the district’s collection of decodable books and strengthen literacy resources available to K–5 educators. The grant is funded through the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation, which annually recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and a commitment to student learning.
Rossville Consolidated School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Hanna praised Houser’s accomplishment, noting the positive and immediate impact the funding will have on early literacy instruction.
“This grant will significantly strengthen our K–5 resource library and support the important work our teachers are doing with foundational reading skills,” Hanna said. “Ms. Houser’s leadership and dedication to literacy reflect the very best of Rossville. We are grateful for her initiative and proud of the recognition she has earned.”
The CFP Foundation and Big Ten Conference will recognize Houser and fellow award recipients during festivities leading up to the 2025 Discover Big Ten Football Championship Game on Saturday, December 6, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Honorees and their guests will attend a special ceremony at the Big Ten Fan Fest presented by Dr Pepper at the Indiana Convention Center, where checks will be presented before kickoff.
Houser expressed her excitement about the opportunities the funding will create for students and teachers. She shared with colleagues that she “can’t wait to start ordering and organizing everything so staff can begin using the new materials.”
According to district officials, the additional decodable books will help Rossville continue its emphasis on the Science of Reading and the development of strong foundational literacy skills across the elementary grade levels.
“Investments like this reinforce our district’s commitment to ensuring every child has access to the high-quality tools they need to learn to read—and read well,” Hanna said. “This is a proud moment for Ms. Houser and for Rossville Schools.”