Eat. Learn. Play. Partners with MasterClass to Celebrate National Literacy Month by Gifting 16,000 Memberships to Bay Area Educators and Administrators
In its second year, the partnership will provide educators and administrators from Oakland and San Francisco Unified School Districts access to MasterClass, supporting professional development and personal growth.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oakland, CA – September 26, 2024
In celebration of National Literacy Month, Stephen and Ayesha Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. is once again honoring over 16,000 educators, nutrition service workers, principals and administrative staff from the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) and San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). These essential school community members will receive complimentary annual memberships to MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best.
The partnership between Eat. Learn. Play. and MasterClass began in 2022 with a gift of 5,000 memberships to OUSD staff. In 2023, the program expanded to include SFUSD, growing its impact. This year marks the largest distribution yet, underscoring both organizations' commitment to investing in the professional and personal growth of educators and school staff who play a pivotal role in shaping the future. With the challenges that SFUSD is facing this year, both Eat. Learn. Play. and Masterclass are committed to supporting teachers, administrators and staff to provide additional resources and help navigate these difficult times.
Founded in 2019 by four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry, alongside entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author Ayesha Curry, Eat. Learn. Play.’s core focus since inception has been education. In its ongoing literacy efforts, the organization has invested over $5 million for high-dosage tutoring at more than 20 elementary schools; provided $2.5 million to libraries and teachers; and gifted over a million books through initiatives like the Eat. Learn. Play. Bus and Little Town Libraries, a network of free little libraries across Oakland. Eat. Learn. Play. has also remodeled two elementary school libraries, with three more renovations planned soon.
"Teachers, educators, and administrative staff are the true heroes, supporting our students every day as essential members of the school community," said Chris Helfrich, CEO of Eat. Learn. Play. "We’re excited to once again partner with MasterClass to honor their ongoing dedication to nurturing young minds."
“It’s an honor for MasterClass to partner with Eat. Learn. Play. to support Oakland and San Francisco public school educators and staff with free MasterClass memberships,” said Alessa Moscoso, head of learning & development and diversity, equity & inclusion at MasterClass. “As a product of California’s public schools, I’ve witnessed firsthand how education can shape lives. This partnership allows MasterClass to help educators grow and bring fresh ideas to inspire the next generation.”
“All good educators are also lifelong learners themselves, and I am proud to lead a District filled with people who love to learn,” said Superintendent Dr. Kyla Johnson-Trammell. “And I am so pleased that our wonderful partner, Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is focused not just on helping our students learn, but also on helping the adults across the District expand their intellectual horizons. The MasterClass memberships being provided for our staff for the third year in a row gives them a great tool to feed their minds throughout the year, with the opportunity to learn from experts in a wide range of fields. We thank Eat. Learn. Play. for always coming through for our educators.”
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About Eat. Learn. Play.
Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is an organization dedicated to unleashing the potential of every child, paving the way for amazing kids and opening doors to bright futures. Founded by Stephen and Ayesha Curry in 2019, Eat. Learn. Play. launched with a focus on improving the lives of kids and families in Oakland, the Bay Area and across the country. Rooted in three of the most vital pillars for a healthy childhood—nutrition, education and physical activity—Eat. Learn. Play. is working to ensure that every child in Oakland has access to the nutritious food they need to be healthy and thrive; resources to learn and love to read; and safe places and equitable opportunities to play. Follow Eat. Learn. Play. on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.
About MasterClass
MasterClass is the streaming platform that provides the insights, tools and lived experiences of the world’s best so you can become your best. In as little as 10 minutes, you can gain new skills that can be applied immediately. With an annual membership, you get unlimited access to 200+ instructors and classes through flexible formats for any way you like to learn. Shift the way you see and experience the world through a wide range of subjects, including business and leadership, writing, cooking, acting, sports and more. Cook with Gordon Ramsay. Write with Shonda Rhimes. Get negotiation tactics from Chris Voss. Learn how to navigate relationships with Esther Perel or make bold choices with Samuel L. Jackson. Original Series provides a new way to learn through quick, 30-minute, highly engaging episodic stories designed to change the way members see the world. With MasterClass at Work, companies can develop vital holistic and durable skills that transform employees into future-ready leaders through cinematic lessons and life-changing stories taught by the world’s best. Each MasterClass offering is available at home or on the go on mobile, tablet, desktop, Apple TV®, Android™TV, Amazon Fire TV and Roku® players and devices.
Follow MasterClass:
Twitter @masterclass
Instagram @masterclass
Facebook @masterclassofficial
TikTok @masterclass
LinkedIn @masterclass
About Oakland Unified School District
In California’s most diverse city, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) is dedicated to creating a learning environment where “Every Student Thrives!” More than half of our students speak a non-English language at home. And each of our 80 schools is staffed with talented individuals uniting around a common set of values: Students First, Equity, Excellence, Integrity, Cultural Responsiveness and Joy. We are committed to preparing all students for college, career, and community success.To learn more about OUSD’s Full-Service Community District focused on academic achievement while serving the whole child in safe schools, please visit OUSD.org and follow us @OUSDnews.
CONTACT:
Eat. Learn. Play.
Tom Dietz
tdietz@midnight-dawn.com | C: 303-506-2228
Stephen Baruch
sbaruch@midnight-dawn.com | C: 631-388-1367
MasterClass
Tawnya Bear, MasterClass
Oakland Unified School District
John Sasaki
Communications Director
San Francisco Unified School District
Laura Dudnick
Executive Director of Communications & External Affairs