Teacher of the Year Profiles
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
35 years in total and 27 here at Health Professions
What is the best thing about being an educator?
The best thing about being an educator is being able to touch student's lives, connect with them and learn from them as they learn from me. They teach me about the world they live in which is very different from the one I grew up in. I try to challenge students to think about life and decide to make good things happen for themselves.
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
I have become much better at teaching as a craft. I think I am better at harnessing the student’s energy to help them discover that they can learn. Students need to work collaboratively in today’s world. I try to make my class a place where we learn to appreciate one another and work as a team to tackle the tough content of physics.
I see my role more as steering the ship. Pointing the students in the direction they need to go to become successful.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
The AP Physics class planned an end of the year international picnic after graduation at a local park. The day of the event it was about 110 degrees. My wife and I invited the students to my home. Students parents brought their sons and daughters which gave me an opportunity to meet most of the parents.
This class was so diverse that we had dishes from Jordan, Africa, Asia, Mexico, India, Korea…
That class really bonded and approached the AP exam as a team. I was honored to be a part of it.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Being available and reserving judgement. Life is messy and I believe mercy goes a long way when dealing with young adults. At the same time the students need to know who the adult is in the class. It is a balance. I am leading the train toward success for all those who care to jump on board.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
That they have dignity as a human being made in God’s image. They are valuable. I also want them to know that nature is a great mystery and gift and that it is exciting to explore it. Science helps us do that.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: Lord of the Rings Trilogy
- Candy: (Butterfinger)
- Flavor of ice-cream: Rocky Road
- Song: Shout to the Lord
- Hobby: Fishing
- Sports Team: Houston Astros, Ohio State Buckeyes football
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
16 years of teaching with 6 of those with STISD.
What is the best thing about being an educator?
Making an impact in someone's life
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
I have become more resilient to different learning environments throughout the years which has allowed me to change and adapt to deliver the material in different ways.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
To hear from a former student tell me that I made a difference in their life.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
My specialty is in emergency medical services and responding to emergency situations can be difficult for the young mind to fully grasp. Therefore, it means that as a teacher, I lead by example and be ready to provide a safe place to help students cope with the intensity of this profession.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
To have a servant first attitude.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: Forest Gump
- Candy: Almond joy
- Flavor of ice-cream: Orange sherbet
- Song: No Quarter by Led Zepplin
- Hobby: Runing and biking
- Sports team: I enjoy watching college football, but the COWBOYS ARE THE BEST!
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
I have been teaching 14 years and this is my 4th school year with STISD.
What is the best thing about being an educator?
The best thing about being an educator is be able to witness a student’s growth and success. Whether it’s through small daily goals, or the greater goals achieved once they’ve left your classroom, getting to help and guide students through the transformation of “I can’t do this” to “I did it!” is incredibly rewarding. Just knowing you have the ability to positively impact a student’s life every single day is what makes this profession so fulfilling.
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
In the early years of my career, mastering best practices in the classroom and measuring student performance was at the forefront of my priorities. As time has passed, and education has faced unforeseen challenges, my role as educator has evolved alongside it. My priorities have shifted and my focus has been to teach my students holistically, with their social and emotional needs in mind. Their academic success and growth are still a priority, but my main role is to facilitate their journey of learning and assist in their development of multifaceted skills.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
Choosing a favorite memory is difficult since each school year presents many meaningful moments. But, if I had to choose, it would be the moments when I have run in to past students. Most recently, a former 8th grade student of mine told me she was about to earn her Bachelor’s of Arts in English with a teacher certification. I asked what made her choose teaching English and she said she chose it because I always looked like I enjoyed my job every day in the classroom and I made reading, which she used to hate, so enjoyable. That moment made me realize how impactful we as teachers can be; even with simply smiling through our job and showing enthusiasm in the classroom. It is simply why I love what I do.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Being able to educate students daily is a privilege. Yes, it is absolutely hard work that sometimes seems endless, but in no other profession do we have the ability to instill a love of learning or to make a difference in the lives of students. A teacher’s impact extends far beyond the classroom and every day, I strive to remember the role I play in shaping the people my students will ultimately become.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
One thing I hope each of my students will remember from my class is the power of perseverance and hard work. Everything worthwhile in this life takes commitment and hard work to achieve it. I try to remind them of this through the stories we read and discuss, the creative & reflective writing opportunities, and student-choice projects. No matter where they go in life, or what they endeavor to achieve, hard work will be what gets them there and what will set them apart from all others.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: The Princess Bride
- Candy: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Flavor of ice-cream: Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough
- Song: Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
- Hobby: Playing guitar
- Sports team: Dallas Cowboys & Houston Astros
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
This year marks my 11th year as a teacher. This is my 7th year with STISD.
What is the best thing about being an educator?
The best part of being an educator is knowing that you are part of someone's life in making a difference in the way they learn and how they feel about learning once they leave your classroom.
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
As an educator I tend to be a student advocate and speak out for them when otherwise they want to be silent.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
One of my fondest memories of being an educator is being part of The Special Olympics and competing in Dallas in different events. My students worked hard earning metals and were rewarded by going to Six Flags.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Knowing you will be part of something great in the future to come because these students have a limitless career path they can follow and knowing you are part of the reason they are successful.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
Even though I like to say many funny Dad jokes in class, I want them to walk away knowing that the education they received from me will always be valuable in their classes to come.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: The Matrix
- Candy: Snickers
- Flavor of ice-cream: Chocolate
- Song: God Gave Me You by Dave Barnes
- Hobby: Fishing
- Sports team: Houston Texans professional and Texas Longhorns college
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
I have been teaching since 1989 (33 school year cycles) and all my teaching has been here at the Science Academy.
What is the best thing about being an educator?
Connecting with alumni to find out how their lives have fared after high school
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
I have spent more time combining instruction and entertainment in the lessons I teach. I have also grown in the use of technology to better guide the students.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
My fondest memories are the “circle of life”. I have taught long enough to teach the children of the students I had at the beginning of my career. To be able to say I knew you mom or day when they where in my class is pretty cool.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Teaching is my ministry field. I cherish the honor to help guide the student to the next phase in their lives. My relationships that form over a school year with the students help create a cloud of memories that give real purpose to my teaching career.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
Continued education is the greatest gift you can give yourself. It is the best form of lifetime insurance that a person can have to protect themselves from the unpredictable winds of change.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: Forrest Gump
- Candy: Smarties
- Flavor of ice-cream: Rocky Road
- Song: Ordinary People by Clay Walker
- Hobby: Gardening and Woodworking Sports team: N/A
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
I have been teaching for almost six years, the last two with STISD.
What is the best thing about being an educator?
The best thing about being an educator is the satisfaction of driving and guiding students to meet their academic goals and make a difference in their lives.
How has your role as educator evolved over the years?
My strategies and teaching methods have evolved throughout the years according to student needs.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
My fondest memory was seeing and hearing a special education student be successful in presenting orally an assignment that took tremendous effort to accomplish.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Being able to serve and educate students is critical because I know I can make a difference in their lives.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
I would like my students to remember all is possible when they put their mind to it.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: Titanic
- Candy: Chocolate
- Flavor of ice-cream: Banana Nut
- Song: “Como la flor” de Selena Quintanilla
- Hobby: Reading and watching documentaries.
- Sports team: El América (soccer)
How many years have you been teaching? How many years with STISD?
I’ve been teaching for 3 years all 3 have been here at South Texas ISD
What is the best thing about being an educator?
The best thing about being an educator is helping expand the knowledge of the minds of tomorrow and providing a support system to help them succeed in their goals.
How has your role as an educator evolved over the years?
Over the years I have molded my teaching to be student-centered. I facilitate their learning through opportunities for them to engage in the material and apply it in real-world contexts.
What is one of your fondest memories as an educator?
One of my fondest memories as an educator was when I was coaching the boys’ soccer team and we won against a team that we could not have imagined beating. Seeing the happiness in my players made all the extra time committed to helping them build their soccer skills worth it.
What does it mean to you to be able to educate and serve students on the daily?
Being able to educate and serve students on a daily basis is a great responsibility and an opportunity to make a positive impact on their lives. Education is one of the most important tools, it involves constantly adapting to the changing needs and expectations of students and using innovative teaching methods and technologies to enhance their learning experience that will enable them to succeed academically, socially, and personally.
If there is one thing you want your students to walk away with knowing, what would that be?
I know at this age it seems you have to have everything planned and what the next step should be, but you have time to figure things out even if you feel like everyone has it set.
What is your favorite…
- Movie: Interstellar
- Candy: I’m more of a chips kind of person
- Flavor of ice cream: chocolate fudge brownie
- Song: Somebody Else by The 1975
- Hobby: Weight Lifting
- Sports team: Seattle Seahawks
