Teacher of the Year and Ambassador for Excellence

Benjamin Collinsworth Benjamin Collinsworth, 2019
Emily Meschter Early Learning Center
Ambassador for Excellence

“Preschool is where kids learn through play, inquiry, and discovery. Preschool is where a diverse group of children and adults gain knowledge and understanding from one another. In short, preschool is school."
Nate Rios Nate Rios, 2019
Flowing Wells High School
Ambassador for Excellence

“Teaching is powerful, empowering, and, at times, overpowering. It requires a clear mind, a soft heart, and an unflinching will."
Jennifer Anglin Jennifer Anglin, 2016
Flowing Wells Junior High
Ambassador for Excellence

“I teach my students to see the strength in themselves, to show kindness, and to create their own destiny.”

Tabetha Finchum Tabetha Finchum, 2014
Centennial Elementary
Ambassador for Excellence

“The training and education of the individual teacher is just as important as the training and education within the classroom because the two are inextricably linked.”

Jose Chach Snook José Chach Snook, 2013
Flowing Wells Junior High
Ambassador for Excellence

“I do not consider myself a choir teacher or a drama teacher. I am simply a teacher and I do not miss an opportunity to teach beyond what the standards or conventional curriculum might say.”

Deborah Young Deborah Young, 2012
Richardson Elementary
Ambassador for Excellence

“As educators we need to not only teach and help our students master content, we have to help them use that content to make sense of the world around them.”

Brandi Dignum Brandi Dignum, 2011
Richardson Elementary
Ambassador for Excellence

“To me, teaching means touching the lives of children through the universal language of music.  I believe that teaching and inspiring children is more than a career – it is a higher calling.” 

Maria Lucy Popson
Maria Lucy Popson, 2006
Walter Douglas Elementary
Teacher of the Year

“Teaching is more than a simple job, it is an extraordinary responsibility.”

Tamara McAllister Tamára McAllister, 2006
Laguna Elementary 
Ambassador for Excellence

“I feel truly blessed to be a teacher.  Every day I see the world through my students’ eyes; a place full of wonder and awaiting adventures.  I am granted the honor of walking beside them, as their guide, their friend, their biggest fan.” 

Kimberly Babeu Kimberly Babeu, 2005
Flowing Wells Junior High
Teacher of the Year

“It is my strong personal belief that when life and teaching are one, outstanding opportunities can easily be developed for students.  Experiences like these are the true rainbows of life.  Perhaps we are not meant to freeze these moments. We are to feel them.”

Maria Frontain Maria Frontain, 2002
Flowing Wells High School
Teacher of the Year

"I just hope and pray that I can always play a small part in the independence and happiness of the very special students I teach."

Jay Stanforth Jay Stanforth, 2002
Hendricks Elementary
Ambassador for Excellence

"I have no greater accomplishment than to drive home at the end of the day with a song in my heart knowing that I have done my best to improve the life of every child in my charge."
Diane Weeks
Diane Weeks, 2000
Richardson Elementary
Ambassador for Excellence

"There is no greater task than that of educating our children; helping them to reach their fullest potential and accomplish their highest dreams."
David Towne David Towne, 1999
Flowing Wells Junior High
Ambassador for Excellence

"I love teaching.  It is my passion.  I work hard at my craft to produce and allow students the chance to learn, laugh, and be successful."
Michele Best Jackson Michele Best Jackson, 1998
Hendricks Elementary 
Ambassador for Excellence

"Work very hard, every day, to earn your students' respect.  Once you have their respect, never take it for granted."
Patricia Stowers Patricia Stowers, 1997
Flowing Wells High School
Teacher of the Year 

"As teachers, we must never forget the power of the messages that we convey to students.  We help to shape this country's greatest resource---it's children."
Margo Stone Margo Stone, 1994
Centennial Elementary
Teacher of the Year 

"Some people call teaching a profession.  For me, it is a passion."
Curt Bertelsen Curt Bertelsen, 1992
Flowing Wells High School 
Ambassador for Excellence

"Kids should not have to settle for a description of life, but rather need to experience it.  It is as though we enter an orchard of mixed fruit trees and climb into the same apple tree each day."
Rachel Moreno Rachel Moreno, 1990
Flowing Wells High School 
Teacher of the Year

"To be a facilitator of children's dreams is to be a creator in the truest sense of the word."
Chris LaBour Chris LaBour, 1990
Richardson Elementary  
Ambassador for Excellence

"My philosophy of education is reflected in the eyes of every first grader who enters my classroom.  They believe they can become an astronaut, firefighter, teacher, construction worker, scientist, or president."
Judy Matthews Judy Matthews, 1988
Flowing Wells High School  
Ambassador for Excellence

"True failure only occurs to one who stops trying.  A teacher cannot afford to end the journey before the destination is reached."
Karyn Blair Karyn Blair, 1986
Flowing Wells High School  
Ambassador for Excellence

"I am enthusiastic about life, kids, and education.  I want the people who come into my class to catch that enthusiasm too."