Texarkana ISD Recognizes Campus Teachers of the Year
Teachers of the Year for each Texarkana ISD campus were announced today. Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker was joined by Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Nix, Executive Director of Student and Family Support Services Lakesha Taylor, and Interim Communications Director Brandy Debenport to present these awards on each campus. Campus administrative teams also participated in the teacher of the year recognitions.
Campuses were asked to consider several specific criteria when selecting their teacher of the year representative. The campus teacher of the year should:
● Epitomize the district motto of Innovate. Lead. Excel.
● Demonstrate expertise in their field and guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve excellence
● Collaborate with colleagues, students, and families to create a school culture of respect and success
● Deliberately connect the classroom and key stakeholders to foster a strong communicate at large
● Demonstrate leadership and innovation in and outside of the classroom walls that encourage lifelong learning
● Express themselves engagingly and articulately
Congratulations to the following TISD teachers who were selected to represent the district as campus Teachers of the Year:
● Lesa Hill - pre-kindergarten - Dunbar Early Education Center
● Detraell Copeland - 5th grade math and science - Highland Park Elementary
● Rebecca Young - 5th grade science - Morriss Elementary
● Crystal Smith - 4th grade - Nash Elementary
● Jo Cochran - English teacher - OPTIONS Early Graduation High School
● Jordan Engstrom - 1st Grade - Spring Lake Park
● Mark Ahrens - CTE robotics and computer science - Texas High School
● Leslie George - 8th grade technology - Texas Middle School
● Tiyawna Gellington - 1st grade - Theron Jones Early Literacy Center
● Candace Davis - 1st grade - Waggoner Creek Elementary
● Amber Merrick - 4th grade - Wake Village Elementary
● Efe Loudermill - 5th grade science - Westlawn Elementary
Lesa Hill - pre-kindergarten - Dunbar Early Education Center
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Lesa Hill, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Detraell Copeland - 5th grade math and science - Highland Park Elementary
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Detraell Copeland, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Rebecca Young - 5th grade science - Morriss Elementary
Pictured L to R: Assistant Principal Samantha Evans, Principal Lauren Pilgreen, Rebecca Young, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Crystal Smith - 4th grade - Nash Elementary
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Crystal Smith, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Jo Cochran - English teacher - OPTIONS Early Graduation High School
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Jo Cochran, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Jordan Engstrom - 1st Grade - Spring Lake Park
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Jordan Engstrom, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Mark Ahrens - CTE robotics and computer science - Texas High School
Pictured L to R: Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker, Mark Ahrens, Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix
Leslie George - 8th grade technology - Texas Middle School
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Leslie George, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Tiyawna Gellington - 1st grade - Theron Jones Early Literacy Center
Picture L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Leslie George, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Candace Davis - 1st grade - Waggoner Creek Elementary
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Candace Davis, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Amber Merrick - 4th grade - Wake Village Elementary
Pictured L to R: Deputy Superintendent Sherri Penix, Amber Merrick, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker
Efe Loudermill - 5th grade science - Westlawn Elementary
Pictured L to R: Principal Dr. Tabitha Dudley, Jordan Engstrom, Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker