Mr. Michael Lopez
BMC Teacher

First Year Teacher of the Year

Staff and students respect Mr. Lopez. All who come in contact with Mr. Lopez notice his efforts.

"Mr. Lopez is always willing to jump right in and help others."

"He is showing great potential in becoming a solid educator."

"He helps us a lot. He made my reading grade go higher!" - 4th Grader

"He is very calm, cooperative, understanding, and … cool!" - 5th Grader

"I like seeing him in the morning. I like his classroom because I like him!" - Kinder

Mr. Lopez's background experience is his most distinguished characteristic. He has the honor of being a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and he is listed in the Who's Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges. Before entering the teaching field, Mr. Lopez was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. While serving active duty, he was the recipient of numerous awards including: Good Conduct Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Oversees Service Medal. These experiences are apparent in Mr. Lopez's diligent and professional teaching style.

To support the academic goals of his BMC students, Mr. Lopez meets with classroom teachers on a regular basis to make sure instructional needs and concerns are addressed. To make sure his students are on track, Mr. Lopez makes daily rounds to each of his students' classrooms. Aside from his own observational reports, he is constantly reviewing student progress through the use of grades, homework, CDB's, and teacher feedback. Mr. Lopez is always willing to take the extra step to ensure that he is providing the best educational setting for his BMC students. He is always willing to ask questions to staff, administrators, and district personnel.

Mr. Lopez has a strong rapport with students. He is always willing to assist with student success at a campus level, not just within his classroom walls. It is evident through Mr. Lopez's diligent work that he really wants all children to be successful, both academically and behaviorally. He has the philosophy that students need to prepare themselves for the real world. Do to this, he makes life connections while teaching his social skills lessons. Mr. Lopez's students are always willing to practice skills he has taught them in regards to their BMC issues.

To support the academic goals of his BMC students, Mr. Lopez meets with classroom teachers on a regular basis to make sure instructional needs and concerns are addressed. To make sure his students are on track, Mr. Lopez makes daily rounds to each of his students' classrooms. Aside from his own observational reports, he is constantly reviewing student progress through the use of grades, homework, CDB's, and teacher feedback. Mr. Lopez is always willing to take the extra step to ensure that he is providing the best educational setting for his BMC students. He is always willing to ask questions to staff, administrators, and district personnel.

Mrs. Linda Olson
3rd Grade Teacher

Teacher of the Year

Lewis Elementary is fortunate to have such a strong and dedicated teacher.

One of Ms. Olson's students expressed it best, "Ms. Olson is the best teacher in the world! She always gives kids second chances to learn!"

Linda Olson is one of the founding staff members for Bob Lewis Elementary. Of her 28 years of dedicated teaching, 19 have been served in the Northside Independent School District. She has taught in both the primary and intermediate levels. She is currently teaching third grade at Bob Lewis Elementary. She has recently implemented the Accelerated Reader Program at Lewis Elementary. As chairman of this committee, her duties have included AR staff development for students and staff, setting up a management system for the student point system, and overseeing the details of the AR Store, which commends campus students on their reading efforts. Her previous efforts at Lewis include originating the First Lewis Hospitality Team. Presently, the Hospitality Team flourishes due to Ms. Olson's hard work in preparing the procedures, guidelines, and budget of this Lewis committee. While in NISD, Linda has served on various committees such as: Goal Setting, Social Studies, SAT, Math, Cultural Arts, and discipline.

Ms. Olson was also distinguished as Teacher of the Year while at Northwest Crossing Elementary. Last year while serving as team leader, she attended numerous meetings and effectively disseminated information to the staff. Her experience includes mentoring and supervising student teachers. Her background shows leadership as an outstanding resource for staff. She has presented staff developments in the areas of Goal Setting, Standards Training, Sitton Spelling, and Accelerated Reader. To ensure student success, she has spent numerous hours tutoring after school.

Ms. Olson's classroom performance is outstanding. This is evident by being recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award while at Northwest Crossing and Bob Lewis. She uses a teaching style that enables students to feel that they can learn in a risk free environment. To quote one of her current students, "Ms. Olson is nice and makes us work very hard. She tells me that I can have more learning chances if I make a mistake." Ms. Olson teaches with the philosophy that all children can learn and should be challenged. To better assist the needs of her students, she has attended several conferences such as Autism and the State Math Conference. In her class, students are motivated to learn through the use of various activities and approaches.

When Ms. Olson is not teaching, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.