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Nevada Athletics partnered with the College Football Playoff Foundation and Extra Yards for Teachers Week once again this year to honor and recognize the impact of educators in the Washoe County School District.

The annual eight-day celebration dedicated to honoring and recognizing great teachers runs from Sept. 13 to Sept. 20. The Wolf Pack held its recognition at the Sept. 13 football game against Middle Tennessee.

This year Alice Smith Elementary School was selected as the winner of the $5,000 donation. At Saturday's football game, University of Nevada Dean of the College of Education and Human Development Donald Easton-Brooks and WCSD Chief Academic Officer for Elementary Education Don Angotti presented the check to Ashley Bailey, Alice Smith Elementary's STEAM lead.

"We are excited to use the grant funds to expand opportunities for students. This funding will allow us to extend supplies and resources that integrate creativity with hands-on exploration in robotics, art, and science," Alice Smith Elementary said in a statement. "By combining these areas, students will engage in innovative projects that strengthen problem-solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. We are grateful for this support in helping us inspire the next generation of innovators."

Nevada also made presentations of six $1,000 grants during the contest. Recipients of the $1,000 grants were Donnor Springs Elementary School, Libby Booth Elementary School, Echo Loder Elementary School, Silver Lake Elementary School, Depaoli Middle School, and North Valleys High School.

The continued partnership between the Wolf Pack and Washoe County School District has helped to connect students and teachers to the University. The collaboration has helped the University assist schools in need and award teachers for their exemplary service to Washoe County School District.

Extra Yard for Teachers Week is a nationwide celebration of teachers, led by the CFP Foundation and uses the platform of college football to show appreciation for educators in communities across the country. Created in 2015, #ExtraYardWeek provides an opportunity for universities, coaches and student-athletes to take part in its mission of elevating the teaching profession by recognizing inspiring teachers at games, events and on social media. The Big Day for Teachers is the largest single day effort led by the CFP Foundation and in close partnership with sports, education and corporate partners to deliver resources and surprise teachers in schools across the country.

The College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation is the 501(c)3 non-profit organization serving as the community engagement arm of the College Football Playoff and works in partnership with institutions of higher education, sports organizations, corporations and non-profits to support educators and improve student outcomes. The purpose of the CFP Foundation lies in supporting PK-12 education by elevating the teaching profession. The CFP Foundation’s primary platform, Extra Yards for Teachers, is dedicated to elevating the teaching profession by inspiring and empowering teachers in four core areas: resources, recognition, professional development, recruitment and retention.