Next month, four teachers and two principals in NISD will head to Austin as finalists for the 2009 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, the state's biggest recognition program of educators.
Of the 40 finalists statewide, eight were selected from the San Antonio area. Of those eight, six are from NISD. Following are the finalists, along with quotes from their application:
- Maricela Alarcon, Burke Elementary School - Rising Star Elementary Category. Alarcon, a bilingual teacher at Burke since 2005, recently was named the 2009 Northside Elementary Educator of the Year.
- Gretchen Catron, Jay Science & Engineering Academy - Rising Star Secondary Category. Catron, social studies teacher at Jay Science & Engineering has been a teacher since 2002 and was the JSEA's Educator of the Year in 2008.
- Cathie Odanovich, Blattman Elementary School - Leadership Elementary Category. Odanovich, kindergarten teacher at Blattman, has been teaching since 1998 and was Blattman's 2008 Educator of the Year.
- Kathleen Kraus, Jefferson Middle School - Leadership Secondary Category. Kraus, eighth grade science teacher at Jefferson MS, has been teaching in Northside for 13 years.
- Brenda Farias, Cable Elementary School - Elementary School Principal Category. Farias, former principal of Cable ES, began her teaching career in 1981 and recently named the principal of the soon-to-be opened Langley ES.
- Patty Hill, Warren High School - Secondary School Principal Category. Hill, principal of Warren HS since the school opened in 2001, has spent her entire 33-year career in education at NISD.
"I am so proud of these teachers and principals for their hard work and dedication to our students," Superintendent John Folks said. "Thank you to H-E-B for putting our educators in the spotlight."
Last month, the educators were surprised in their classrooms or campus last month by H-E-B representatives bearing balloons, cakes, flowers, and oversized checks for $1,000. They are now competing at the statewide level for larger cash prizes for themselves and their schools.
While in Austin May 1-3, finalists will be interviewed by a panel of judges. Grand prize winners will be announced May 3 at a celebratory dinner.
All of the educators were nominated by customers, H-E-B employees, or community members. Each nominee was sent an application packet asking them to share their professional experiences, educational philosophies, and achievements. Following are excerpts from the winning NISD applications:
"Warren's commitment to student success does not waiver in the face of factors beyond the control of the campus. If anything, Warren provides the community with the resources to effect positive changes in the lives of students." - Hill
"Great educators show respect for children and in turn receive the same respect." - Farias
"Thousands of teachers enter the profession every year because they love kids, or they want to make a difference. I was, and still am, one of those, but teaching goes beyond these simple ideologies." - Kraus
"Great teachers can not be (described) by a list, but you know them when you meet them, and their classrooms are the best reflection of their impact and influence." - Odonovich
"A student who knows their teacher is non-judgmental and accepting yet has high expectations for them will typically perform their very best." - Catron
"I believe that personal successes are defined by every moment I help create change in the lives of others." - Alarcon
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