Alumni Awards

Baylor School of Education alumni are impacting the world in many fields and in many ways. While most educators serve without recognition, here are just a few who have been honored recently for outstanding service.

(We know there are many, many more alumni awards, so please help us share! If you are an SOE alumna or alumnus who has received recognition — or if you know of another alum who has been honored — please let us know by emailing BaylorImpact@baylor.edu. Photos welcome; please send as attachment!)

2022

National Recognition

Dr. Jennifer Nivin Williamson, MSEd ’98, PhD ’05 (Educational Psychology)
Dr. Daniel Williamson, BBA ’98, PhD ’05 (Educational Psychology)
Diplomats in Adlerian Psychology
North American Society of Adlerian Psychology

Drs. Williamson were both named Diplomats in Adlerian Psychology by the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology.

The Diplomat in Adlerian Psychology is the highest professional recognition offered by The North American Society of Adlerian Psychology to its members. The Diplomat in Adlerian Psychology is awarded to those NASAP members who demonstrate the highest level of professional accomplishment in and contribution to Adlerian Psychology through the many fields in which it is applied — counseling and psychotherapy, clinical practice, education, parent education, theory and research, and organizational leadership.

State Recognition

Dr. Ashley Gibson, EdD ’21 (Curriculum & Instruction)
2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award
Humanities Texas honored Ashley Gibson, EdD ’21, as one of 15 recipients of the 2022 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award. Gibson received a $5,000 cash award, with an additional $1,000 for her school to purchase instructional materials. Gibson is a graduate of Baylor’s online EdD in Learning and Organizational Change. With a classroom career spanning 15 years, Gibson teaches English at Galena Park High School in Galena Park ISD.

Dr. Trena Wilkerson, professor and interim chair of Curriculum & Instruction, said Gibson was “not only an exemplary doctoral student, but insightful and a leader. She exemplifies our mission to prepare educators for leadership in a changing world; he is a transformative leader.”

Local and Campus Recognition

Belinda neal Belinda Powell Neal, EdD ’05
TVCC Distinguished Alumna
Associate Executive Director of Instruction
TEPSA

Belinda Powell Neal, EdD ’05, is among six alumni of Trinity Valley Community College chosen for the Hall of Distinguished Alumni Class of 2022. Having earned an EdD in Educational Administration, Neal is currently the associate executive director of instruction for the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), based in Austin. She has served as an assistant principal and principal in Round Rock and Lindale ISDs and was assistant superintendent of Lindale ISD. At TVCC, she won two national titles as a member of the cheer team and was named Who’s Who.

Lisa Longenecker, BSEd ’06 and BS Math
Campus Teacher of the Year
7^th and 8^th grade Engineering and Animation Teacher
Cobb Middle School, Frisco ISD

Lisa has been teaching for 16 years in Frisco ISD. After 12 years as a sixth and seventh-grade math teacher, she has been teaching engineering and animation for the last four.

“When I was deciding what kind of teacher I wanted to be, I never thought I’d do anything different than what I was trained for. Baylor prepared me so well to be a middle school math teacher, and I loved that job for many years. But what I find out the longer I taught is that change is actually good. It pushes you and makes you a better educator. Switching to the STEM/CTE courses I now teach is the biggest gift of my career.”

Gabriela at School

Gabriela Ortiz Haynes, BSEd ’17
Campus Teacher of the Year
PreK Teacher, O. C. Taylor Elementary School, Grapevine Colleyville ISD

Gabriela is in her third year of teaching pre-K in Grapevine Colleyville and fifth year teaching overall, after two years in Waco ISD.
“Everything that I have implemented in my classroom is due to what I learned at Baylor! I am so blessed to have been a part of such a wonderful program,” she said.

Dr. Vivian Baker, EdD ’89
Belton ISD Superintendent, 2001 - 2010
Distinguished Baylor Woman of Central Texas
Central Texas Baylor Club
Temple, Texas

2021

Statewide and Regional Recognition

John Bullion, EdD ’20 (K-12 Educational Leadership)
Special Education Liaison to TEA
Region 12 ESC

Dr. John Bullion is co-host of Region 12's podcast, "SPEDTalk with Pam and John," which received a Barbara Jordan Media Award from the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. The awards video also features an introduction by Baylor President Dr. Linda Livingstone. Dr. Bullion's award recognition is at minute 52 of this video and includes an excerpt of the winning podcast episode:
Barbara Jordan Media Awards

As a 2020 EdD graduate of the SOE's Educational Doctorate in K-12 Educational Leadership, Bullion was among the program's first graduates. Seven members of Cohort One graduated in May 2020.

Special education teachers may listen to the Region 12 podcast on Apple Podcasts or the Anchor platform.

Local and Campus Recognition

Amy West, BSEd ’16
Campus Teacher of the Year
Fifth-Grade Math Teacher
Woodgate Intermediate
Midway ISD

Amy has been teaching at Woodgate for two years. Prior to that, she taught for three years at Connally Elementary in Connally ISD. Both districts are near Waco.

Fun Fact: Amy did her student teaching at Woodgate in the VERY classroom where she now teaches!

“The Woodgate and Midway family have played a huge role in shaping the teacher that I am today,” Amy said. “Huge shout out to Sara Teichelmann (my mentor at Woodgate) and Dr. Rachelle Rogers, who has been a mentor and friend through my time at Baylor and still is to this day. It’s always a great day to be a Midway Panther, and Sic ’Em Bears forever!”

Amy Feind, BSEd ’16, MA ’17
Campus Teacher of the Year
Special Education Teacher
Seven Hills Elementary
Northwest ISD

Amy said, “I love my job immensely because I get to work with the most incredible team, coworkers, and students every single day. This year has been HARD, and I know that every one of the teachers on our staff is worthy of this title. I am so honored!”

Amy earned her Baylor MA in the Dept. of Educational Psychology after finishing her bachelor’s with a major in special education.

Emily Rice, BSEd ’14, MSEd ’15
Campus Teacher of the Year
Fourth-Grade Math, Science & Writing Teacher

Blackland Elementary
Round Rock ISD

“I love my campus because of the supportive team,” Emily said. “Baylor prepared me to take initiative and be a valuable team member from year one,” she said. “I think the GT track also prepared me to handle students with very diverse needs. I’m so grateful for all of my teaching mentors from Baylor and my school district!”

Fun fact: Blackland is the school where Emily attended fourth and fifth grade herself! “I even got to teach my fifth-grade teacher’s daughter,” she said. “It has been cool to see things come full circle.”

Erica Amos Scalf, BSEd ’16, MSEd ’17
Campus Teacher of the Year
Algebra Teacher and Coach
Wylie East High School
Wylie ISD

Erica is in her fourth year teaching at Wylie East, her own high school alma mater. “I love giving back to the community that gave so much to me,” she says in her teacher profile.

In addition to teaching mathematics, she also coaches the freshmen volleyball and girls basketball teams and is the EdTech Coach, delivering tech training to teachers on her campus.

Hannah Turney Vess, BSEd ’15, MSEd ’17
Campus Teacher of the Year
First-Grade Teache
Howard Dobbs Elementary
Rockwall ISD

Hannah gives credit for this honor to her “many colleagues and members of administration who have believed in and encouraged me,” she said. “Howard Dobbs Elementary has been a supportive and kind workplace, and I cannot imagine a better environment to grow in.”

Hannah loves science education and said, “It has been a privilege to work on the Science Curriculum Design Team. I am so thankful to be able to utilize my passion for science. My cognate in graduate school was science, and I was able to work with and learn so much from Dr. Nesmith.”

2020

National Recognition

Dr. Jay Box, EdD ’94
Lifetime Leadership Award
HEI (Higher Education Innovation)
President of Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS)
(retired Sept. 30, 2020)

The HEI award recognizes an outstanding higher education leader & role model with more than 25 years of exemplary service, exhibiting exceptional character, integrity, honesty, dedication and humility; who has unselfishly given of their time and expertise for the betterment of others, education, and society; who has a history of outstanding accomplishments in practice, scholarship, and service; and who is a leader and contributor to the future success of higher education. READ MORE

Kurt Salisbury, MSEd ’03
NAPDS Emerging PDS Leader Award
National Association of Professional Development Schools
Math Instructional Specialist, Midway Middle School
Doctoral student in Baylor SOE’s Department of Curriculum & Instruction

The Emerging Leader Award requires nomination and support from NAPDS members, and Salisbury received his from Dr. Lorri Sapp, coordinator of secondary mathematics and instructional coaching at Midway ISD, and Dr. Rachelle Rogers, Baylor clinical associate professor in the School of Education and the University Liaison to Midway Middle school during Salisbury’s tenure there.

Salisbury has been involved in NAPDS for several years, serving on the communications committee and giving academic presentations at the annual conference several times. He said he appreciates the professional development opportunities offered by NAPDS.

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Clint Glaesmann, EdD ’20
TASSP Region 12 Assistant Principal of the Year
Assistant Principal, Midway Middle School
Midway ISD

Carissa Warren, BSEd ’13
District Teacher of the Year
Kerrville ISD
Second-Grade Teacher, Tally Elementary

“I strive to be a role model, a safe place, and an ‘encourager’ to my students. Every morning I greet my students with a hug and they leave my classroom the same way,” Warren said. “I talk them through problems, and hold high expectations for their character. I build deep and lasting relationships with them. This, to me, is the most important thing that I can do as a teacher.”

Local and Campus Recognition

Josh Dietert, BSEd ’16
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway High School Math Teacher
Midway ISD, Waco

Christina Barbosa Ochoa, BSEd ’04, MSEd ’ 15
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway Middle School Coach
Midway ISD, Waco

Angela Rabroker Scarborough, BSEd ’97
Campus Teacher of the Year
Hewitt Elementary School Teacher
Midway ISD, Waco

2019

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Dr. Walter Jackson, EdD ’06
Region VI Superintendent of the Year
Superintendent, Brenham ISD

“Dr. Jackson is unfailingly focused on providing a world-class education to our students and strengthening the local and global community of supporters for public education,” said Brenham ISD Board President Natalie Lange. “He is a visionary leader who inspires greatness in everyone around him and I cannot imagine anyone who deserves this honor more.”

In Texas, twenty educational service centers represent 1,053 school districts. Each service center selects a superintendent to represent their region for the statewide award program. Dr. Walter Jackson will go on to represent ESC Region VI for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Superintendent of the Year award.

Read the Brenham ISD news announcement.

Amy Meyer Poerschke, BSEd ’10
Houston ISD Elementary Principal of the Year
Principal, Durham Elementary School in Houston ISD

Poerschke was surprised by the announcement in front of more than 600 of her students in the auditorium. Nominated by the area superintendent for HISD’s northwest area, Poerschke was selected from the other six regional nominations for the honor.

The Leader News: Poerschke Named HISD Elementary Principal of the Year

Local and Campus Recognition

Dr. Mark Montgomery, MSEd ’08, PhD ’14 (Curriculum & Instruction)
Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University
Teaching Excellence Award, James I. Perkins College of Education

The award is based on "knowledge of subject matter, quality of lectures and assignments, enthusiasm for teaching, interest in and availability to students, commitment to continuous improvement, and contribution to the quality of teaching at SFA by assisting and encouraging other faculty members."

At SFA, Montgomery teaches mathematics methodology courses to both elementary and middle-level teacher candidates and supervises pre-service teachers in a field experience course focused on mathematics and science instruction. He is known for his efforts to break the stereotypes associated with mathematics in his elementary education courses.

Read about Dr. Montgomery on the SFA WEBSITE.

Kat Finta, BSEd ’14
Campus Teacher of the Year
Canyon Ridge Elementary
PPCD Teacher (Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities)
North East ISD, San Antonio
Trinity Award Nominee, North East ISD
(The greater San Antonio area’s oldest and most prestigious teaching award, the Trinity Prize was launched in 1982 to honor public school teachers who distinguish their teaching practice through outstanding classroom performance, leadership in the school and school district, contributions to the education profession, and stellar community service.)

Finta said, “I am so blessed to have been nominated by my colleagues to receive the Teacher of the Year for my Campus and for the Trinity Award Nomination. Baylor SOE made such an impact on my life and taught me lifelong lessons in the Special Education world and in life itself. I am beyond grateful for my professors and mentor teachers who encouraged and showed me what a great teacher should be like. My goal is to continue to positively impact my students and raise acceptance for the Special Needs community.”

Audrey Hamlin Kelley, BSEd ’18 (all-level special education)
Campus Teacher of the Year for 2018-19
(during her first year of teaching!)
Robinson Intermediate School
Robinson ISD, Waco
As a Functional Academics teacher, Audrey works with fourth through eighth graders with moderate to severe disabilities. She teaches each academic subject, as well as functional skills such as cooking and communication, including American Sign Language and Braille.

Jenna Zerebny Simpson, BSED ’14
Campus Teacher of the Year
Spring Valley Elementary PDS Fourth Grade Teacher
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Mary Allison Fertsch O’Leary, BSEd ’13
Campus Teacher of the Year 2018-19
Powell Elementary Second-Grade Teacher
Conroe ISD

Jessica Lewis, BSEd ’15
Campus Teacher of the Year
Iduma Elementary School, Second Grade Teacher
Killeen ISD

Earlier this year, Lewis was also named the District’s Spotlight Teacher of the Month.

Dr. Susan Kincannon, EdD ’10
Belton ISD Superintendent, 2011 - 2019
Distinguished Baylor Woman of Central Texas
Central Texas Baylor Club
Temple, Texas

2018

National Recognition

Dr. Neil Shanks, BSEd ’09, MSEd ’14
2018 Larry Metcalf Exemplary Dissertation Award, National Council for the Social Studies
Clinical Assistant Professor in Curriculum & Instruction, Baylor School of Education, starting in fall of 2019

Instant Impact Blog Post: SOE Grad Wins Dissertation Award

Dr. Yuko Prefume, BA ’04, MSEd ’06, EdD ’15
Senior Lecturer of Japanese, Baylor University, Dept. of Modern Languages & Culture

"The American Association of Teachers of Japanese honored Yuko Prefume, Ed.D., senior lecturer in Japanese in Baylor University’s College of Arts & Sciences, with the association’s annual Teacher Award presented at the AATJ Fall National Conference Nov. 16-18, 2018, in New Orleans.

The AATJ Teacher Awards recognize outstanding teachers who demonstrate excellence in teaching, advocacy and leadership in Japanese education both locally and regionally."

Baylor Media Post: Senior Lecturer in Japanese Receives National Association Teaching Award

Amy Thomas Soupiset, BSEd ’93
Named a "Teacher Advisor" by Scholastic Book Clubs for 2018-19
One of 16 teachers nationwide to serve as advisors at Scholastic Headquarters to improve Scholastic Book Clubs

Alamo Heights Junior School, Alamo Heights ISD, San Antonio
Sixth Grade Reading, all levels
Faye Langley Cowden Chair for Elementary Education, Alamo Heights ISD

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Dr. Mary Landon Darden, MSEd ’91 (HPER), EdD ’06 (Educational Administration)
President, Higher Education Innovation LLC
Distinguished Alumni Award 2018
University of Texas Permian Basin

UTPB News Story

Katherine Chaney, BSEd ’15
Mineola Elementary School, Mineola ISD
Third Grade ELAR and Social Studies

Named to:
"The List of East Texas” for “Top New Teachers"

“The List’’ is a series presented by The University of Texas at Tyler to recognize exceptional individuals and organizations devoted to improving our communities and driving this region forward. Honorees are selected by the List of East Texas Editorial Advising Board based on nominations from the community. These K-12 teachers, within the first five years of their careers, are making outstanding contributions to student success in classrooms across East Texas.

"The List" is published in Tyler Today magazine.

Dr. Kenneth Boarder, EdD ’04 (Educational Administration)
Region 17 Superintendent of the Year - 2018
State Finalist (one of five finalists)
Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
Superintendent, Shallowater ISD, Shallowater, Texas (Lubbock County)

Dr. George Kazanas, BBA ’90, MSEd ’94
Region 12 Superintendent of the Year - 2018
Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
Superintendent, Midway ISD, Waco, Texas
Adjunct Professor, Baylor EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership

Eric Wilson, MSEd ’89 (Sport Management)
Region 9 (Texas) Outstanding Principal of the Year
TASSP (Texas Association of Secondary School Principals)
Principal of Bryson School, Jacksboro, Texas

Local and Campus Recognition

Rachel Vaughn, BSEd ’17
Rookie of the Year
West University Elementary School
Houston ISD, Houston

"Rachel has had an excellent first year at our school and is one of the best rookie teachers I have worked with in my 28 years of school administration. It is a great pleasure to watch her teach and see someone who is truly committed to the kids. I have told other HISD administrators that if I had a school full of teachers like Rachel, I would have the easiest job in HISD. She is a dedicated and gifted young lady.
—John Threet, Principal, West University Elementary

Trevor Taylor, BSEd ’17
Novice Teacher of the Year
Wagner High School
Judson ISD, San Antonio

Jordan Barlow Martella, BSEd ’15, MSEd ’16
Teacher of the Year
Gatesville Intermediate School
Gatesville ISD, Gatesville, Texas

Katie Bohannon Phillips, BSEd ’08
Campus Teacher of the Year
Beverly Elementary
Plano ISD, Plano, Texas

Andrea Ruiz, BSEd ’09
Midway ISD District Elementary Teacher of the Year
Campus Teacher of the Year
Hewitt Elementary
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas
Second Grade Teacher and Mentor Teacher to Baylor Interns

2017

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Garrett Gray, BSEd ’15
Seventh-grade Science Teacher, Midway Middle School, Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

TEACH (Texas Educators Achieving Classroom Honors) Award from Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
“The Texas Educators Achieving Classroom Honors award recognizes an innovative educator for their efforts in the classroom that impact the students they teach and inspire other educational professionals.”

TEACH Award received while at Robinson High School, Waco, Texas
Read more in the Waco Tribune-Herald story

Lindsay Shockley, EdS ’09
Outstanding School Psychologist, Specialist Level
Texas Association of School Psychologists (TASP)
School Psychologist at Lorena ISD
Lorena, Texas

Dr. George Kazanas, BBA ’90, MSEd ’94
State Board of Education Steering Committee for Long Range Plan
Superintendent, Midway ISD, Waco, Texas
Adjunct Professor, Baylor EdD in K-12 Educational Leadership

Rachel Webbon, BSEd ’16
Waco ISD First Year Teacher of the Year, Virginia DuPuy Award
Cedar Ridge Elementary, First Grade Teacher
Waco ISD

“Ms. Webbon has an indescribable way with students. She connects with students in a manner that is usually exhibited by veteran teachers.”
—Helen Smith, principal

Local and Campus Recognition

Kayse Katzmann Williams, BSEd ’10
District Elementary Teacher of the Year
Rockwall ISD
Special Education Resource Teacher, Stevenson Elementary

"Kayse has the ability to make lasting, life-long relationships with each of her students, taking the time to get to know them,” said Stevenson Elementary Principal Mike Pitcher. “The relational bonds she forms are unique. They believe in themselves because they know that Kayse believes in them.”

Sarah Baranowski, BSEd ’03
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway High School PDS
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Kim Willis Bullajian, BSEd ’95
Campus Teacher of the Year
Woodway Elementary
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Paige Cox Carrasquillo, BSEd ’09, MSEd ’10
Belton Rotary Educator of the Quarter (November)
Miller Heights Elementary
Belton ISD, Belton, Texas

Erin Casey, MSEd ’17
Campus “Beginning Teacher of the Year Award”
Jasper High School
Plano ISD, Plano, Texas
World Geography and AP Human Geography teacher

Dr. Tamara Rubin Hodges, MSEd ’89, EdD ’94
Outstanding Faculty Award from Baylor University for teaching
Baylor School of Education, Senior Lecturer in Educational Psychology

Barry Horst, BSEd ’80
Campus Teacher of the Year
Bell’s Hill Elementary
Waco ISD

Julibeth Moore, BA ’08, MSEd ’10
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway High School PDS
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Staci Arnold Morgan, BSEd ’02
Campus Teacher of the Year
South Bosque Elementary
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Amanda Packard, BSEd ’15
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway Middle School PDS
Midway ISD, Waco, Texas

Brittany Hill Sanders, BSEd ’10
Campus Teacher of the Year
West Avenue Elementary, Waco ISD

Katie Kamperman Talbert, BSEd ’10, MSEd ’11
Campus Teacher of the Year
Woodgate Intermediate, Midway ISD

2016

National Recognition

Dr. Erin Dixon, MSEd ’08, PhD ’15
Outstanding Dissertation Award, SSMA (School Science and Mathematics Association)

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Dr. Leanne Looney Howell, BSEd ’89, MSEd ’92
Exemplary Faculty Practice Award from Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education (CSOTTE)
Baylor School of Education, Clinical Assistant Professor, Curriculum & Instruction

Monica Maynor Lemke, BSEd ’12
Region 11 Elementary Teacher of the Year
Roanoke Elementary, Northwest ISD

Becky Odajima, Doctoral Candidate
Texas Assistant Principal of the Year, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals
Midway High School PDS, Midway ISD

Local and Campus Recognition

Amy Kaska Beseda, BSEd ’01
Campus Teacher of the Year
River Valley Intermediate, Midway ISD

Cathy Moore Henson, BA ’73
Campus Teacher of the Year
Parkdale Elementary, Waco ISD

Micah Kroll, BSEd ’88
Campus Teacher of the Year
Crestview Elementary, Waco ISD

Blake Schrader, BSEd ’03
Campus Teacher of the Year
G. L. Wiley Opportunity Center, Waco ISD

2015

National and International Recognition

Dr. Dittika Gupta, PhD ’14
Outstanding Dissertation Award, SSMA (School Science and Mathematics Association)
Assistant Professor of Education, Midwestern University, Wichita Falls

Jennifer Nivin Williamson, MSEd ’98, PhD ’05
ACES Counseling Vision and Innovation Award (Association for Counselor Education and Supervision)
Associate Professor, Lindsey Wilson College, Columbia, Kentucky

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Whitney Lasater Crews, BSEd ’96
Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
E. J. Moss Intermediate School, Lindale ISD

Diane Gough, BSEd ’81
Texas National Distinguished Principal of the Year
TEPSA (Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association)
Principal, Hewitt Elementary School, Midway ISD

Aaron Peña, BSEd ’97
Texas Top Elementary Principal (H-E-B)
Principal, Woodway Elementary School, Midway ISD

Dr. Michael McFarland, BBA ’93, EdD ’05
Texas Superintendent of the Year, Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)
Superintendent, Lancaster ISD

Laura Tindall Zapata, BSEd ’00
Region VI Elementary Teacher of the Year
A. R. Turner Elementary, Willis ISD

Liz Cox Hagins, BSEd ’00
Midway ISD District Secondary Teacher of the Year
Midway Middle School PDS, Midway ISD

Local and Campus Recognition

Casi Alley, BSEd ’98
Campus Teacher of the Year
J. H. Hines Elementary, Waco ISD

Carole Ross Boyle, BSEd ’92
Campus Teacher of the Year
River Valley Intermediate, Midway ISD

John Choins, BMEd ’92, MSEd ’98
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway Middle PDS, Midway ISD

Sami Cox, BSEd ’06
Campus Teacher of the Year
Spring Valley Elementary PDS, Midway ISD

Kim Dunn Landon, BSEd ’86
Campus Teacher of the Year
Midway High School PDS, Midway ISD

Rachel Lieber, BSEd ’12
Campus Teacher of the Year
Hillcrest Elementary PDS, Waco ISD

Crystal Williams Robinson, BBA ’02, MSEd ’04
Campus Teacher of the Year
Castleman Creek Elementary, Midway ISD

Corinne Stephenson, BSEd ’12
Campus Teacher of the Year
Woodway Elementary, Midway ISD

Lisa Lewis Ward, BSEd ’91
Campus Teacher of the Year
South Waco Elementary, Waco ISD

2014

National and International Recognition

Dr. Marty Crawford, BSEd ’96
Finalist, LifeChanger of the Year Award, National Life Group
Superintendent, West ISD (currently Tyler ISD)

Dr. Susan Johnsen, BA ’64
Outstanding Leadership Award from Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)
Baylor School of Education, Professor of Educational Psychology

Dr. Jessica Meehan, MSEd ’08, EdD ’13
John Laska Distinguished Dissertation Award in Teaching from American Association for Teaching and Curriculum (AATC)

Statewide and Regional Recognition

Dr. Susan Johnsen, BA ’64
Texas State Advocate for the Gifted, Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT)
Baylor School of Education, Professor of Educational Psychology

Dr. Michael McFarland, BBA ’93, EdD ’05
Region 10 Superintendent of the Year, State Finalist, Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)
Superintendent, Lancaster ISD

Local and Campus Recognition

Alera Budd, BSEd ’13
Campus Teacher of the Year
Daugherty Elementary, Garland ISD

Jennifer Garza, BSEd ’92
Campus Teacher of the Year
Bell’s Hill PDS, Waco ISD

Susan Finley Mathis, BSEd ’92
Campus Teacher of the Year
Spring Valley Elementary PDS, Midway ISD

Stephen Petree, BSEd ’08
Campus Teacher of the Year
Waco High School, Waco ISD

Amy Taylor, BSEd ’94
Campus Teacher of the Year
River Valley Intermediate, Midway ISD

Wendi Washington Singletary, BSEd ’94
Campus Teacher of the Year
Hillcrest PDS, Waco ISD

Jennifer Haddad Zane, BSEd ’00
Campus Teacher of the Year
Cedar Ridge Elementary, Waco ISD