Brennan ALE Teacher Named Northside ISD’s Trinity Prize Nominee

Each year, Trinity University honors exceptional educators from the San Antonio area with the prestigious Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching. This year, Angela Detlaff, an Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) teacher at Brennan High School, has been named Northside ISD’s nominee. She will be recognized alongside fellow honorees from Bexar County during a formal ceremony on Friday, May 9, at Trinity University.

Detlaff’s journey in education is both inspiring and deeply rooted in service. She began her career as an interpreter for the Deaf, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Interpreter Training from Southwest College for the Deaf at Howard College. Her first role as an educational interpreter in a local high school introduced her to the world of special education—a field that would soon become her passion.

After moving to San Antonio in 2007, Detlaff joined Northside ISD’s Regional Day School Program for the Deaf as an instructional assistant. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in Education and began teaching at Marion High School, where she launched the school’s first Life Skills Unit.

In 2013, Detlaff officially joined Northside ISD as an ALE teacher at Jay High School. Despite facing medical challenges, she continued working full-time while earning a Master’s in Teaching and Learning: Special Education from Liberty University in 2015. Her dedication to growth and exploration led her to teach ALE at Behlau Elementary School, before returning to the secondary level in 2022 to join Brennan High School—where she says she has experienced tremendous professional growth.

“I am fortunate to work with an administrative team that empowers me to help students develop independence, celebrate their unique qualities, and foster a culture of inclusion within the school and community,” Detlaff shared.

Now in its 43rd year, the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching remains one of the region’s most esteemed honors. It celebrates the impact of educators from Pre-K through post-secondary education. Angela Detlaff’s nomination reflects her unwavering dedication, innovative spirit, and the profound difference she continues to make in the lives of her students.