Three Huntsville Independent School District teachers were recipients of the Extra Yard for Teachers Initiative from the College Football Playoff Foundation and honored on the field during Teacher Appreciation Night at the Sam Houston versus Western Kentucky game last Wednesday.
Ashley Earhart, a physical education teacher at Scott E. Johnson Elementary School; Jillian Lies, a 4th-grade teacher at Samuel Walker Houston Elementary School; and Jordan Peno, a first-year 4th-grade teacher at Estella Stewart Elementary School, were selected by the Sam Houston State University Athlete Student Advisory Committee (SAAC) and awarded $1,000 for their classroom.
Extra Yard for Teachers serves as an initiative of the College Football Playoff Foundation, operating in partnership with athletic conferences like Conference USA and its member institutions.
“We know every day is a game day for teachers, and Extra Yard for Teachers represents a coming together for college football to show its appreciation for teachers,” said Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation, Britton Banowsky.
Dedicated to elevating the teaching profession, the program focuses on classroom supply grants, professional development, and teacher recruitment. To date, the platform has invested $104 million in public education, benefiting more than 756,000 teachers and 14 million students across 96,000 schools nationwide.
Earhart noted that the honor reflects the everyday moments that shape a child's experience in school.
"This recognition reminds me that the little things we do every single day really do matter," Earhart said. "The high-fives, the encouragement, the hugs, the laughter — it all makes a difference."
Lies, who has been with Huntsville ISD for three and a half years, noted the deeper impact of her work in the classroom.
"For me, teaching has always been about more than academics," Lies said. "I strive every day to create a classroom where my students feel loved, valued, and supported."
Peno expressed her appreciation for the local community's backing as she begins her teaching career.
"I am super thankful for this opportunity because it really shows me how great this community is," Peno said. "Every day that I’m in this community, it makes me love it even more."
Together, the three educators showcase the daily impact of dedicated teaching, fostering positivity and growth across Huntsville ISD from the gymnasium to the classroom.
"As teachers, we show up every day and give everything we have to our students, not because we expect recognition, but because we love what we do," said Earhart.
All photos courtesy of Sam Houston State University.