SAISD Teachers Honored at Teacher of the Year Ceremony

Yesterday, The San Angelo Independent School District’s Teacher of the Year ceremony was held at the Johnson Street Church of Christ at 4:15 p.m. About 200 friends, family, co-workers, and students came and showed support for these teachers as they were recognized for their ability to reach the kids they teach and excel at being educators.

One teacher from every school was introduced and applauded as they were called one by one to receive their Teacher of the Year nomination plaques. Each school had a teacher that was nominated for the award from elementary and secondary campuses in SAISD.

From the Elementary Schools, 18 teachers were nominated and only one could win the Teacher of the Year Award for Elementary School. That winner was Michelle Barron from Glenmore Elementary. Michelle teaches 5^th grade and has 30 years of experience with teaching Elementary school.

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Steve Gill, the Executive Director of Schools, announced the Elementary district-wide Teacher of the Year award winner.

“If you were to travel back to when this teacher first started, you would see a teacher fresh out of college, optimistic about teaching, and ready to change the world one student at a time,” Gill said. “Now, fast forward many years to the present; you will see a seasoned educator who has assessed the lives of over 1,500 students and has made a difference year after year. This teacher daily exhibits the qualities of a model educator and she builds lasting, meaningful relationship with students and their families, as well as colleagues.”

Many faculty members agree that Barron has creative and innovative ways to teach in the classroom. The things she is doing in her classroom are examples for teachers just starting their careers.  

“I was very excited and surprised to receive this award,” said Barron about receiving the award. “There are many educators in this room and it could have gone to anyone.”

From the Secondary Schools, seven teachers were nominated and one teacher was chosen from Central High School. The winner of the Teacher of the Year Award for Secondary Schools was Deborah Campbell. Campbell has 20 years of experience and is currently teaching credit recovery, though she has taught all kinds of classes in her years at Central.

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“This teacher was chosen as Teacher of the Year because of their dedication to students and the teachers around her as well,” said Farrah Gomez, the Executive Director of Schools. “The commitment from the teacher to students reaches beyond their academic needs.”

Campbell is described as intuitive and takes time to notice if students are struggling or might need help. She goes beyond the classroom by taking notice in the characteristics and needs of different students, like making sure students have enough to eat or are signed up for the free lunch. She takes into account if a student needs a larger winter coat or if students need school supplies.

“She constantly is monitoring grades in all classes for students who need it as well as attendance,” added Farrah. “Former students have kept in contact because of the impact she had on them and how she helped them get to where they are now.”

Campbell was surprised to receive the award and was pushing back tears as she said, “It’s not just me getting this award. We have 200 teachers and they are amazing, and every teacher is the Teacher of the Year for a student. None of us do this alone, and I represent 200 people who do an amazing job. They could have literally put our names in a bowl and randomly selected a name.”

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Overall, well-wishers joined in on honoring the accomplishments of these two teachers. When an educator takes the time to show the care and love for what they do, students will succeed.