Member Accolades | Spring 2022

This article appeared in the Spring 2022 issue of The Classroom Teacher.

Share your success with us! Were you chosen as your campus Teacher of the Year? Did you win an award or receive grant funding? Email communications@tcta.org and tell us about your recognition so we can share it in The Classroom Teacher.

H-E-B surprises state finalists for 2022 Excellence in Education Awards

H-E-B surprised finalists for the 2022 Excellence in Education Awards during campus visits in March. The program honors outstanding public-school professionals and thanks them for their dedication and commitment.

Winners at each level receive cash prizes for their classrooms and grants for their schools. TCTA members advancing to the statewide competition include:

• Rising Star Elementary: Melinda Armadillo, James Bowie Elementary School, San Marcos CISD
• Rising Star Elementary: Mayela Canales, McAuliffe Elementary, McAllen ISD
• Leadership Secondary: Megan Malone, School for the Talented and Gifted, Dallas ISD
• Leadership Secondary: Alejandra Martinez, Memorial Junior High School, Eagle Pass ISD
• Lifetime Achievement Secondary: Jennifer Johnston, Milam Elementary, Conroe ISD

Finalists will be interviewed in Austin in April and winners will be announced in May as H-E-B celebrates the 20th anniversary of its Excellence in Education Awards program.

Learn more at facebook.com/HEBExcellenceinEducationAwards.

TCTA members chosen as Teachers of the Year in Wichita Falls, East Central ISDs

Wichita Falls ISD recently announced its 2022 Teachers of the Year. Winners were selected by their peers. TCTA members who were honored included:

• Yolanda Drennon, Brook Village Early Childhood Center
• Jennifer Anderson, Fain Elementary
• Meagan DuFour, Fowler Elementary
• Stephanie Musquiz, Franklin Elementary
• Kari Sewell, Jefferson Elementary
• Stephanie Roberts, Lamar Elementary
• Allison Wilson, Milam Elementary
• Taysha Matos, Scotland Park Elementary
• La’Chandra Hooper, Sheppard Elementary
• Kyle Faragher, Southern Hills Elementary
• Shayla Schelter, West Elementary
• Adriana Avila, Zundy Elementary
• Matt McDonald, Barwise Middle School
• Dewey Quickle, Denver, JJAEP
• Rebecca Buck, Hirschi High School
• Jane Ramirez, Rider High School

East Central ISD honored its campus Teachers of the Year at a March 17 board meeting. TCTA members honored include:

• Shelly Beasley, Legacy Middle School
• Nicole Gawlik, Heritage Middle School

Gawlik was also nominated for H-E-B’s Excellence in Education Awards.

Whataburger surprises Leander ISD teacher after students share experiences

Whataburger threw a party for TCTA member Cody Redfern, a seventh-grade science teacher and volleyball coach at Canyon Ridge Middle School in Leander ISD, after two students contacted the burger chain to share how much they appreciate their teacher.

Redfern told KXAN he was floored when Whataburger’s marketing coordinator got in touch with him, and said it reinforced why he teaches the way he does.

“The outcomes are so rewarding,” he said. “Knowing that kids come every day and look forward to being in my classroom, look forward to seeing other teachers. As a middle school teacher, that kids are looking forward to seeing you, it’s something you can’t describe.”

During a March 29 celebration, Whataburger also surprised Redfern with free food for a year, a gift basket and swag.

“I know this year has been a really tough year,” he said. “I know it can be hard with having families and having other obligations, but the impact that teachers can make truly shows, and whether or not teachers know it, it may not be an impact like this, but [students] truly go home and appreciate every single teacher.”