Oakland teacher awarded $25,000 for house down payment; school gets $2,500

A longtime Oakland teacher who has never owned a home was recently surprised by $25,000 from the College Football Playoff Foundation to use as a down payment on a home.

Dewey Academy physics and biology teacher Nestor Gonzalez learned Jan. 23 that he was a recipient of the foundation’s tradition of helping educators and students in the region that hosts the annual National College Football Championships.