Teachers of the Year for 2022 were awarded from Comal ISD, New Braunfels ISD, Marion ISD, Navarro ISD and Seguin ISD. Additionally, teachers and educators from the New Braunfels Christian Academy, Premier High School of New Braunfels, Communities in Schools of South Central Texas, St. John Paul II Catholic High School and St. Peter & Paul Catholic School received awards.
The keynote speaker at the event, New Braunfels ISD Superintendent Cade Smith, challenged educators in the room to support and encourage teachers to stay in the industry, follow the upcoming legislative session, and continue loving and inspiring the children they teach.
“You [teachers] are at the peak of your profession; you are the very, very best at a time that we need you the most,” Smith said. “And I go back and reflect back to the time that we had to shut down schools. We asked you to jump on board and educate kids all throughout the spring, and you were the heroes of America at that time because parents understood immediately what you have to do every single day, throughout the entire day.”
Smith also discussed the shortage of teachers and other challenges public and private schools are facing in Texas.
“So we're in the middle of trying to hire more people to serve the 5.3 million students across the state of Texas,” Smith said. “And I look today, just very briefly at the Texas Association of School Administrator website and there are 2,139 jobs open right now in public education. We start school in the next few weeks.”
Jennifer Fey received recognition for Secondary Teacher of the Year for Comal ISD. Fey is a ninth- and 10th-grade English teacher at Hill Country Preparatory High School and said all teachers deserve recognition after the struggles they have faced due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“I felt like anyone that taught this year was Teacher of the Year because it was such a really, really challenging year,” Fey said. “And for me, it has offered me a voice that is a little louder to where I can talk with my board members and administration about things that I hear and see to help my fellow teachers.”
Danielle Tapp was awarded Elementary Teacher of the Year in Comal ISD and teaches kindergarten students at Johnson Ranch Elementary School. Her class motto is, “we can do hard things” and by the end of the year, the students say the motto with more conviction that she hopes can have a lasting impact on them.
“I taught 36 kindergarteners online [during the 2020-2021 school year], so that was very challenging,” Tapp said. “But once I finally got my kiddos back in the classroom, the social impact COVID had on them was astronomical, in my opinion.”
Fey and Tapp said the social and emotional recovery of students following the pandemic will be a community effort and asked people to get involved with their local school districts and show gratitude toward teachers.
In New Braunfels ISD, Marcella McDonald received the Elementary Teacher of the Year award, and Denise Ortiz was named Secondary Teacher of the Year. Communities in Schools of South Central Texas nominated Stephanie Armendariz as CIS Pacesetter of the Year.
At the New Braunfels Christian Academy, Jane Stewart was awarded Elementary Teacher of the Year with Kayla Sisneros named Middle School Teacher of the Year. Amy Hardy was recognized as the private school’s High School Teacher of the Year.
In Marion ISD, Primary Teacher of the Year was awarded to Jennifer Bradley and Karissa Kabanek from the district’s Krueger Campus. Christine Byden was recognized as Middle School Teacher of the Year and Katherine Champion as High School Teacher of the Year.
In Navarro ISD, Elementary Teacher of the year was awarded to Katie Todd, and Ashley Elder was named Intermediate Teacher of the Year. Ella Chase received recognition as the Junior High Teacher of the Year and Katharine Champion as the High School Teacher of the Year.
Premier High Schools of New Braunfels awarded Sharon Jones as its Teacher of the Year. St. John Paul II Catholic High School named Sandee Phelan as its Teacher of the Year. St. Peter & Paul Catholic School recognized Tammy Schaefer as its Teacher of the Year and Karen Arnold as the Outstanding Educator of the Year.
Seguin ISD recognized Amy Styles as its Elementary Teacher of the Year and Aubrie Wells as its Secondary Teacher of the Year.
