Fox Elementary School art teacher Lisa Mackey in Klein ISD is one of three teachers statewide who has been named a finalist for the 2023 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year Award, the Texas Association of School Administrators announced in a news release Aug. 19.
In addition to Mackey, other elementary teacher finalists include Shelly Jeoffroy, a fifth-grade math teacher at Otis Brown Elementary in Irving ISD, and Kari Johnston, a fifth-grade bilingual teacher at Perez Elementary in Austin ISD.
"Lisa Mackey is the kind of teacher every student dreams of having," KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown said in a statement. "The way Lisa uplifts and encourages every student who crosses her path to become leaders and innovators truly speaks volumes about who she is and the positive impact she makes every day. We are excited that Lisa is continuing to represent us as the Elementary Teacher of the Year in Klein ISD, Region IV, and hopefully soon, the great state of Texas."
At the secondary level, finalists include Chris McLeod, a rocket engineering teacher at Brazoswood High School in Brazosport ISD; Andrea Larson, who teaches multilingual learners at McNeil High School in Round Rock ISD; and Tricia Shay, an English I teacher at Borger High School in Borger ISD.
According to the release, the six finalists will be interviewed Oct. 20 by a panel of judges that will select two state-level winners—an elementary teacher of the year and secondary teacher of the year—and designate one to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony Oct. 21 in Round Rock, where 40 regional teachers of the year will also be recognized.
Posted Aug. 5 at 10:54 p.m.
Fox Elementary School art teacher Lisa Mackey has been named the 2022 Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year, Klein ISD officials announced in a news release Aug. 4.
According to district officials, Mackey has been in the classroom for 13 years and helped open Fox Elementary in 2020. In addition to serving as Fox Elementary's art teacher, Mackey leads the Fox Destination Imagination team, which recently placed first at Globals for the second consecutive year. Mackey was also named KISD's 2022 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
"Being named Region 4 Teacher of the Year is the honor of a lifetime. I am proud to be a representative and advocate for teachers in a profession I am fiercely passionate about leading forward," Mackey said in a statement. "It is hard to describe all the emotions I felt when they announced my name, but it was a moment I will never forget."
According to the release, Region 4 serves 87 school districts made up of 1.2 million students, 105,000 educators and 1,500 campuses across seven counties. Mackey was named the 2022 Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year at the 33rd Annual Region 4 Teachers of the Year Ceremony on Aug. 4.
"I am thrilled for Mrs. Mackey and her recognition as Region 4's Elementary Teacher of the Year," Fox Elementary Principal Lakita Combs said. "The excitement for learning that she instills in our Fox Cubs and how she motivates our entire staff is so appreciated. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this honor."
As previously reported by Community Impact Newspaper, KISD Superintendent Jenny McGown was named the 2022 Region 4 Superintendent of the Year. According to district officials, Mackey is KISD's first Region 4 Teacher of the Year in 28 years and this is the first time in KISD history that a superintendent and teacher have been named Region 4 Superintendent of the Year and Elementary Teacher of the Year simultaneously.
"Lisa Mackey is an outstanding educator who gives her whole heart to the success of every student in her care," McGown said in a statement. "Every moment I'm in her classroom, I witness an inspirational place full of exceptional expertise, unconditional love and joyful creativity. Our Klein family is so proud of who she is and the excellence she represents at Fox Elementary and in Klein ISD."
Mackey and McGown are now both in the running for State of Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and State of Texas Superintendent of the Year, respectively.
