Teacher of the Week
Teacher of the Week
In partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD) and as part of their community involvement leading up to the national championship game at Allegiant Stadium in January 2027, the College Football Playoff Foundation (CFPF) is excited to announce the CFPF Teacher of the Week recognition program. This program aims to recognize K–12 classroom teachers who promote academic excellence, facilitate career-connected learning and durable skills, and cultivate safe and supportive classrooms.
Nominate a Teacher today!
Throughout the 2026–2027 school year, 40 educators will be selected to receive the following recognition and awards:
Surprise recognition event (either by school admin team or Team Engagement)
$1,000 DonorsChoose donation to support the teacher's classroom
Feature across CFPF and CCSD social platforms - The winner's photo and nomination will be shared on a website and social media.
Only CCSD employees can access this form.
August 2026
Stephenia Courtney
William E. Orr Middle School
"Stephenia Courtney has the exceptional ability to lead and support students while serving in multiple roles. As both a classroom teacher and Math Learning Strategist, she drives academic excellence by supporting her own students while also providing instructional guidance and resources to colleagues. Beyond the classroom, Stephenia supports athletic events, extracurricular activities, chaperones field trips, and volunteers with community partners. Her willingness to step indemonstrates an unwavering commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and engaging school environment. Stephenia’s dedication, flexibility, and student-first mindset make her an invaluable member of the Orr Rocket community."
Amaia Arostegui, Orr MS Assistant Principal
Sashel Peterson
Betsy rhodes elementary School
"What sets Mrs. Peterson apart is her unique ability to seamlessly blend rigorous academics with self-affirming emotional growth. As both her principal and a parent of two Pre-K students, I see her impact daily. A powerful example of how she builds a safe, supportive classroom is her "positivity mirror" routine. After carpet time, each student stands at the mirror to speak a positive affirmation to themselves, instilling deep self-worth alongside early literacy. This environment drives incredible results. She truly sets the gold standard for early childhood education!"
Rob Rosenblatt, Rhodes ES Principal
Tyler Swick
South Career and Technical Academy
"Tyler puts CCSD CARES into action by seeing opportunities and helping build solutions. At South CTA, he recognized that music could be more than a traditional elective and saw an opportunity to connect it directly to our career pathways. Rather than simply pointing out the gap, Tyler stepped forward to help develop a new strand around music and sound engineering while also taking on the second year of our Entertainment and Sports Marketing pathway. He is helping us create a program where students can connect creativity with production, technology, marketing, and real career opportunities. That willingness to identify a need, take ownership, and build something better for students reflects the Solutions and Excellence we want across CCSD."
Pate Thomas, South CTA Principal
September 2026
Tiara Carlock
Edmundo Escobedo Sr. Middle School
"For Ms. Carlock, every day is an opportunity to bring joy and empowerment to her students and colleagues. She meets every challenge with positivity and dedication to our school goals. In moments of team slump, she is the first to come to the table with solutions and inspiration. Ms. Carlock creates a truly inclusive classroom, warmly welcoming students of all abilities because she firmly believes that every child deserves the opportunity to express themselves and represent our school through music. Her flexibility allows her to seamlessly pivot to meet any student or school need as it arises. Through her passionate leadership, she inspires her choir students to grow musically while building the confidence, collaboration, and durable skills essential for their future success."
Brittany Wadas, Escobedo MS Assistant Principal
Vaughn White
Helen C. Cannon Junior High School
"Mr. White exemplifies CCSD CARES by driving Solutions and Excellence through proactive leadership and clear Communication. When students struggled to connect abstract STEM concepts with future career paths, Mr. White took complete ownership of their learning experience. He designed and launched dedicated robotics and production classes alongside his core math and science curriculum. In one memorable instance, when a team faced a critical equipment malfunction during a production project, Mr. White calmly guided them through troubleshooting, using empathy and prompt feedback to turn a moment of panic into a triumph. By showing students how real-world problem-solving works, he consistently delivers top-quality support that empowers students to thrive."
Sarah Bako, Cannon JHS Assistant Principal
William Burkhardt
Foothill High School
"Beyond being an outstanding educator, Mr. Burkhardt is an exceptional person. He is a devoted father, a proud Marine Corps veteran, and someone who brings kindness, generosity, and humor into everything he does. He has an incredible ability to connect with students and staff, whether he's making everyone laugh with a perfectly timed Friends reference or enthusiastically participating in dress-up days, school fundraisers, and student council assemblies. His dream of one day competing on Survivor perfectly reflects his adventurous spirit, resilience, and willingness to embrace every opportunity. "
Alex Ashton, Foothill HS Mentor
Meghan Begin
Herbert A. Derfelt Elementary School
"Mrs. Begin generously gives her time, creativity, and personal resources to ensure that staff, students, and families feel valued. This summer, she came in before her contracted work time to help create a large, colorful wall display with bright flowers and an uplifting message to welcome our school community. For numerous years during Teacher Appreciation Week, she has also taken the initiative to plan fun, engaging games, activities, and prizes for staff — even though she is a classroom teacher herself. Mrs. Begin’s generosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to give her time to others make a lasting impact on our school community and make her truly deserving of recognition."
Catherine Heath, Derfelt ES Grade 2 Teacher
October 2026
Jennifer Thomas
Canyon Springs HS and the Leadership and Law Preparatory Academy
"Ms. Thomas puts the CCSD Cares into action by being an asset and a voice for her students. Ms.Thomas is always willing to go above and beyond and take accountability when she makes an error She greets everyone with the same respect regardless of age or job status and is one to not bother if she does not have to be. Ms. Thomas with her culinary class every year she lets her students pair in teams to compete in a ""Food Truck Race"" on campus. This gives the students a chance to be creative and showcase their skills."
Tatiana Holder, Canyon Springs HS Graphic Arts Secretary