In partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers, the Pac-12 Conference and Stanford are taking part in Extra Yard for Teachers week September 12-19, 2020 by recognizing local teachers within our community in the largest efforts of community impact ever undertaken by the extended college football family. In total across the efforts, more than $4 million in grants, direct aid and desperately needed resources are expected to be awarded to teachers and educators.
Big Day Winner
$1,000 from DonorsChoose.org
Angela Keller • 3rd & 5th grade special education teacher • Stevens Creek Elementary School • Cupertino, Calif.
One of Angela's nominations was from a colleague that said Angela gives her entire being to her kids. She listens, nurtures, buys their school supplies, clothes, backpacks, shoes - whatever they cannot afford. She ALWAYS steps in to provide.
For Teacher's Week during the pandemic, one of Angela's students drew her some sidewalk art that said "Thank you Teachers." Angela was able to drive to the house and take a special photo to thank her thoughtful student, something she was very happy to do since distance learning has prevented her from one of the best parts of teaching, in-person interaction and development with her students.
10 Extra Yard for Teachers Week Winners
$350 VISA Gift Card
Becky Le • 2nd grade teacher • Monta Loma Elementary • Mountain View, Calif.
Becky says, "My favorite part of teaching is building relationships with the students. I believe that if the students can relate to their teachers and have a positive rapport with their teachers, they can become better learners. I also love getting to know my students and their interests outside of school. I think it makes me a better teacher if I understand who my students are at their core and I am able to tailor my teaching to meet their needs."
One of her nominations stated, "Ms. Le is an amazing teacher. She is so caring and goes above and beyond for her students. She is meticulous in teaching and following up with her students', especially in these unprecedented times and often spends her own money for supplies for the kids."
Matthew Zeik • 4th grade teacher • Canyon Heights Academy • Campbell, Calif.
Matthew says, "My calling to be an educator has been a unique blessing. Thanks to experiences I have lived during the course of my own life -- exposure to other peoples and cultures, their beliefs and activities -- I see the hand of providence as it prepared me to identify what is true, good, and beautiful, what is worthy of transmitting to the next generation. Teaching must have a dimension of encouragement and exhortation of all involved. Teaching demands of me daily that I promote the practice of ethical principles within my community of students; teaching requires that I be a daily example of the same ethical behavior. While a good life is something everybody yearns to have, a virtuous life, filled with love for our neighbor, is where we truly flourish and is, therefore, always the better life. In loving others and living for others, in giving, in contributing, in ultimately making a difference in the world, these are the invaluable lessons for the best possible life. I love being involved in my students' lives as they grow and learn, especially about the big things that are beyond time."
Stephanie Sardella • 5th grade teacher • Baywood Elementary School • San Mateo, Calif.
Stephanie says, "I have been an upper elementary teacher for 18 years and absolutely love what I do. I disliked history growing up so my favorite thing about my job is to make history come alive in the classroom; if we can act it out and relive the experience we do it!"
One of Stephanie's nominators said, "She has a knack of building her kids up and letting them feel supported and important. She puts the hours in to prepare lessons to reach all students. She enjoys surprising her students in how she delivers her lessons. For instance, early on in the online learning of last spring, she was struggling as were most teachers in this new form of teaching. She thought it would be fun to each day dress up as a different character to teach a math lesson."
Paul Torres • 6th, 7th & 8th grade teacher • Abbott Middle School • San Mateo, Calif.
One of Paul's nominators stated, "He teaches newly arrived immigrant students to speak, listen, read, and write the language of English. In addition, he helps with all their content subjects. He goes over and beyond everyday planning, preparing, and translating directions. On top of that, he delivers food to his students' families in need and has conducted clothes drives for them. Mr. Torres cares for his students and their families. He also helped distribute technology to not only his own students, but to the rest of the school."
Paul added, "I wanted to become a teacher to help people, to do something meaningful in my life. It sounds like a cliché, but that is why I became a teacher. Before teaching I had a pretty good job in printing, but it was not meaningful to me. So I went back to school to get my teaching credential. Currently, I am a Newcomer teacher at Abbott Middle School in San Mateo. This by far has been my most fulfilling and challenging position yet. I get to work with students who have come to the United States for the American Dream, to make a better life for themselves. I get to help make that happen! My favorite thing about teaching is getting to know students and families. It is great to be walking down the street and seeing a former student and/or family. Stopping and talking to them and seeing how they are doing is great!"
Amanda Kennedy • 5th grade teacher • Highland Elementary School • Seaside, Calif.
Amanda says, "I became a teacher because I wanted to become a role model, especially for young minorities from underserved communities. I love working with children. The best part is getting to laugh and have fun while learning!"
Her nominators had these wonderful words to say about her: "Amanda Kennedy is the epitome of passionate teacher! Mrs. Kennedy teaches an academically diverse group of students with varying skill sets, many of whom are English language learners. Amanda is the outreach arm and life support to her students and physically brings the need to her students. She has raised money to provide new reading materials and art supplies for her class and has personally delivered supplies and books to her students."
Steven Anthony • Transitional Kindergarten • Bishop Elementary School • Sunnyvale, Calif.
Steven says, "I have been teaching first grade, Kindergarten, and most recently, Transitional Kindergarten in the Sunnyvale Elementary School District for 26 years now! Working with the school's youngest learners, I am excited to see my students grow throughout the year both academically and socially/emotionally. I like to feel that I make a difference in their young lives, especially knowing that I provide a sense of consistency, safety and nurturing. With the advent of COVID-19 and distance learning, it has been most challenging to keep connected, especially providing experiences for 4- and 5-year-olds that they are not receiving being outside of the traditional classroom. I have been providing resources, materials, and manipulatives for my children that they can use outside of school, and this generous scholarship will help allow me to purchase items for my most economically-challenged kids."
His nominator wrote, "He teaches in a low-income area, with families of many different languages. Several of his students from single-parent homes, so he has often served as a surrogate parent to many children whom have never had preschool experiences. Zooming and virtual teaching has definitely been a challenge, to say the least, since the spring of 2020. He has tried to provide his students things like clay, books, markers and much more."
Mandie Cline • STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) teacher & coordinator • Ruby Bridges Elementary • Alameda, Calif.
Mandie says, "Teaching STEAM is one of the best gigs on the planet and I am grateful to do this work! I get to help students find their inner musician, mathematician, teacher, engineer, explorer, scientist, artist, robotics guru, and so much more. STEAM in education is the greatest leveler for all kids, as it allows every student to thrive and shine in multiple, complex ways while facing real-world challenges and learning to collaborate in an quick-changing world."
In 2019, Mandie won the Brownlee STEAM Teacher of the Year Award. In 2016, she was honored as the Alameda Unified Teacher of the Year. Her nominator stated, "Ruby Bridges is a Title 1, federally funded school, with approximately 70% of the school population qualifying for free or reduced lunch. As coordinator of this program that serves preschool through fifth grade students, she collaborates with all classroom teachers to support them in planning lessons that seek to integrate state standards for art, math and NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) through all areas of the curriculum."
Alex Bynoe • 4th-6th grade teacher • Bowman School • Palo Alto, CA
Alex had a student's parent nominate him stating, "Alex has served 20 years as a teacher at Bowman, and most recently served as one of my daughter's teacher for 4-6th grade. He is an ever-positive, calm presence, encouraging kids to do their best and make learning fun. He is a bright light in our school."
Alex says, "I developed my passion for teaching after learning how Maria Montessori inspires children to learn self-reliance. My favorite part of being a teacher is helping young students develop over the course of a year and seeing what their progress was the first month of the year and comparing it again by the very end of the year"
Bailey Linden • 2nd grade teacher • Aspire East Palo Alto Charter School • East Palo Alto, CA
Bailey says, "My favorite part of teaching is the children & their families that I get to learn with (also, the light bulb moments!). Our kids actively take on their roles as scientists, activists, readers, writers, & are so passionate about their learning as well as caring for one another. Their motivation and energy is what sustains me in this work & I am so excited to continue a lifelong journey of teaching!"
One of her colleagues had this to say about Bailey's teaching: "Ms. Linden goes above and beyond to provide our scholars with the best learning environment possible each and every day. She gets to know her students and families and finds out what each student/family needs. She has been finding ways to ensure each family is provided all the resources her students need to be successful and excited for school."
Khushboo Patel • 3rd grade teacher • John Sinnott Elementary • Milpitas, CA
As the school year begins, Khushboo had these encouraging words for her students: "I am very excited about this year, even with all of the unknowns and changes that we continue to face! I know this year will be filled with growth, memories and lots of trial and error. I hope together, we can conquer this year by becoming a team."
One of her student's parents nominated her and wrote, "Mrs. Patel dropped off a welcome packet at our door with notebooks, pens, stickers, and other things before the first day of school! Though we have yet to meet her in person [because of distance learning], she has been teaching her third grade students well and keeping them engaged throughout virtual learning."
A sincere thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for Extra Yard for Teachers week. While only a handful were selected for prizes, we encourage you to take advantage of our Educator Day discount at Stanford Football! Fill out the form below to be contacted when more details become available.