On September 28th, Spring Valley High School teacher Felcia Bonanno was granted the Teacher of the Game award by the University of Nevada Las Vegas’s football team at Allegiant Stadium. This award recognized Boanno’s dedication and passion as an environmental science teacher, highlighting the impact she has had through her teaching. 

The Teacher of the Game Award is given to educators whom they believe are team players and that `inspire both students and their colleagues. Originally, this award was started in 2018 by UNLV in partnership with Silver State Schools Credit Union, Clark County School District, and MGM Resorts. It began when teachers were granted this prize at every UNLV home basketball event. This has continued on since, with the award recognition occurring during the football season as well. 

Through this award, teachers are recognized at University of Nevada Las Vegas, or UNLV for short, home games. They also receive tickets not only for themselves but also for the friends and family they want to bring along, as well as a 500 dollar award that can be used towards any supplies or materials they feel is beneficial to their students or teaching. Bonanno expressed how she wishes to use her prize money to get supplies for activities and labs that will help create more interest in science and draw more students in. 

This award has been a big motivator and inspiration to Bonanno, as it acknowledges all of the hard work she has done throughout her career.  

“I work hard, I care about my students, I care about my colleagues, and I care about science,” said Bonanno. “I am just super passionate about my career.”

In order to be qualified for the prize, colleagues nominate each other. One winner is picked for every UNLV Runnin Rebel home football game.

“My mentor, Ms Lestelle, is the one who nominated me,” said Bonanno. “It means a lot that she nominated me considering she is the one that taught me how to teach!”

Lestelle is another science teacher at Spring Valley High School, whose classroom is right next to Bonannos. Due to the fact that the two teachers have taught so closely together, they have formed a close relationship, bonding over similar passions for science. Lestelle feels that Bonanno perfectly resembles the International Baccalaureate traits of a teacher who develops kids into globally minded people that recognize their common humanity and shared responsibility of the planet, helping to create a better and more peaceful world.

“This is Ms. B and I support academic excellence,” said Lestelle. “The opportunity for me to nominate her for the Teacher of the Game Award was there as we embarked on a new school year.  The program itself is designed to increase recognition of exemplary employees in the CCSD.  She embodies a commitment to the educational environment here at SVHS. She supports student success, fosters a positive school culture everywhere she turns, and always goes above and beyond her regular duties as a teacher to impact students, colleagues, and the Las Vegas community.”

Bonanno was extremely excited to receive her award and be in the spotlight, but also felt some nerves as she would be in front of such a huge crowd at Allegiant Stadium.

“They presented me with the award down on the field,” said Bonanno. “To be surrounded by the UNLV football players was amazing and such good energy. I couldn’t hear anything they were saying over the loudspeaker and I was nervous to be on camera.”

Leading up to the game, the Grizzly News Network announcements invited students and colleagues to go to the game and support Bonanno and Las Vegas’s college football team. 

“I saw one colleague at the game who took a picture of me on the field,” said Bonanno. “But I was surrounded by friends and family since they gave me free tickets to the game.”

Bonanno hopes she can continue working with the same effort and inspiration that allowed her to receive this award, while also impacting those around her in her career.

“I will seek ways to continue to grow both professionally and personally so that I can help students become scientifically literate,” said Bonanno. “I want students to like science! So often they are fearful or think it’s boring. I truly think it’s my job to show them how interesting and awesome it is.”