November 7, 2024 - Three Comal ISD teachers were surprised with $500 grants for classroom resources on Wednesday, Nov. 6, by representatives from the Valero Alamo Bowl and PNC Bank as part of the College Football Playoff Foundation’s Extra Yard for Teachers program.
The teachers, Becky Clinton, Jacob Walston and Leslie Weil, are among 30 teachers in the San Antonio area who were chosen to receive grants this year. In addition, they along with their families will be special guests at the Valero Alamo Bowl, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 28, in the Alamodome.
“Being selected for this honor was a very big shock, but I could not be more thankful for it,” says Walston, who teaches eighth-grade science at Pieper Ranch Middle School. “It means the world to me to be recognized like this and to receive the grant. I am a big football fan and extremely excited at being invited to the Alamo Bowl.”
Walston, who was named the PRMS campus teacher of the year for the 2023-2024 school year, plans to use his grant to purchase lab supplies.
“I want everyone to know how amazing and personally rewarding teaching can be,” he says. Besides teaching science, Walston who has been a teacher for nine years, also leads a Dungeons and Dragons Club, helps coach robotics and leads trainings on the use of AI in the classroom.
Equally surprised by the honor at Pieper High School was its campus teacher of the year for the 2023-2024 school year, Leslie Weil.
“It is truly an honor,” says Weil, who teaches career preparation, practicum in entrepreneurship and family and community services. “It’s incredibly meaningful not just for me, but for my students. It validates the hard work we put into building a strong CTE (Career and Technical Education) program and demonstrates that the community recognizes the value of providing students with these real-world skills so that they can go on to become active and valuable members of their future community.”
The third honoree was second-grade teacher Becky Clinton who has been teaching for 17 years and 10 for Comal ISD. This year, Clinton transferred to Arlon Seay Elementary School, but she was the campus teacher of the year for Specht Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year.
“I have always loved college football, but today, I love it even more,” says Clinton whose second-grade class was happy to celebrate with her. “This grant will go a long way for my students. Our class is excited to purchase additional math manipulatives, science lab materials and sets of books for book clubs.”
Considered a mentor to her colleagues and an engaging teacher, Clinton was grateful for the award.
“I’m truly thankful to serve our students and their families alongside the greatest administration and the best teams. This award belongs to all of us.”
Congratulations!
Photo Descriptions
–Arlon Seay Elementary teacher Becky Clinton pictured with her second-grade class. Back row from left is Arlon Seay Elementary Principal Kellie McGee, Comal ISD Assistant Superintendent Krista Moffatt, President/CEO of San Antonio Bowl Association Derrick Fox, Clinton and PNC Bank Regional President Chris Sherman.
–Pictured from left is President/CEO of San Antonio Bowl Association Derrick Fox, Comal ISD Assistant Superintendent Krista Moffatt, Arlon Seay Elementary Principal Kellie McGee, Extra Yard Teacher honoree Becky Clinton and PNC Bank Regional President Chris Sherman.
–Pictured from left is President/CEO of San Antonio Bowl Association Derrick Fox, Comal ISD Assistant Superintendent Krista Moffatt, Extra Yard Teacher honoree Jacob Walston, Pieper Ranch Middle School Principal Lauran Knight and PNC Bank Regional President Chris Sherman.
–Pictured from left is Comal ISD Assistant Superintendent Krista Moffatt, Vice President of Marketing and Communications for San Antonio Bowl Association Rick Hill, Extra Yard Teacher honoree Leslie Weil, Pieper High School Principal Jaime Alvarez-Calderon and PNC Bank Regional President Chris Sherman.