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INTRODUCING TEXAS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR AND FINALISTS
Introducing the 2021
& FINALISTS!
This fall, TASA announced the 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year! We’d like to introduce you to 2021 Texas Teacher of the Year Eric Hale, Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year Anthony Lopez-Waste, and the other four finalists — all amazing educators who vied for the top honor.
Eric Hale, Texas Teacher of the Year Dallas ISD’s Eric Hale was chosen as Texas’ 2021 Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent Texas in the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year program. A kindergarten and first grade teacher at David G. Burnet Elementary School, Hale is the first Black man to be named Texas Teacher of the Year.
With 10 years of teaching under his belt, Hale brings a message of perseverance to his work, empowering his students and guiding them to believe in their own potential, no matter what their circumstances might be. Born into poverty and raised in traumatic conditions, Hale was able to overcome severe obstacles to rise to his position. He hopes to inspire his students, most of which also live in poverty, to do the same.
Through innovative, active, hands-on lessons, Hale works to reach every child in his classroom, meeting their individual needs and going above and beyond to ensure they’re engaged and encouraged.
“I know all children can thrive, not just survive, in their public-school education if they are provided a safe, nurturing and engaging environment where the only thing higher than the rigor is the joy of the experience,” Hale wrote, summing up his teaching philosophy for the program application. “I know we as Americans are facing some dark times, but we must keep the faith and remember that some of the brightest minds come from the darkest places.”
Anthony Lopez-Waste, Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year A high school history teacher and coach at Canutillo High School in El Paso’s Canutillo ISD, Anthony Lopez-Waste has been selected as Texas’ 2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year. A teacher for the last three years, Lopez-Waste previously spent 20 years serving in the U.S. Army.
Lopez-Waste enjoys teaching history, a subject he says many students might consider “boring,” because he loves to challenge that assumption. He takes a hands-on approach and frequently holds class outside, using creative teaching techniques that are anything but boring, such as recreating interactive battle simulations or imagining world leaders participating in speed dating.
When teaching world history, Lopez-Waste uses his extensive world travel background as an infantryman to bring a unique, firsthand perspective to his lessons. His primary goal is to build relationships with his students so that they feel engaged and listened to in his class. It’s a leadership example he picked up from one of his Army supervisors, who told him: “Soldiers don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
“Students are no different from soldiers — the question is, how do we show our students that we as educators, truly care?” Lopez-Waste mused on the program application. His response: “Establishing relationships early on will help get our students off on the right foot because, ‘students don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.’”
Look for more on Lopez-Waste in other TASA communications, including his upcoming “Teacher Perspective” columns in INSIGHT.
Adriana Abundis A dual-language math teacher at Lanier High School in San Antonio ISD, Adriana Abundis was chosen as a finalist for Secondary Teacher of the Year. With nearly nine years of teaching experience, Abundis overcame extreme poverty to get to where she is today. In high school, she got a part-time job so she could pay her own SAT fees; today she holds two master’s degrees.
Abundis became a teacher to help students facing similar challenges meet their highest potential. She has a passion for educational justice and works to remove educational barriers based on poverty, race and gender.
“I believe that our students are not blank canvases, but beautiful agglomerations of histories, traumas, triumphs and talents,” Abundis wrote. “I honor my students, my colleagues, my community; not because I was told to do so, but because I view their tenacity as reflections of my own. I allow education to liberate — because I love.”
Lisa Barry A finalist for 2021 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year, Lisa Barry teaches fifth grade reading, writing and social studies at Woodridge Elementary School in Alamo Heights ISD. A 24-year veteran educator, Barry made headlines earlier this year when she advocated for SB 1828, a new law that directs Texas public and charter schools to include lessons on tolerance, genocide and the Holocaust at each grade level.
Barry has been teaching tolerance in her classroom since 2003, when she noticed increased instances of bullying in schools. Knowing the long-term damage bullying can cause to a child, she has created lessons designed to teach her students to be active in fighting intolerance.
“My message to students is about the choices you make,” Barry told TASA. “Embrace diversity, know the consequences of hatred, and use your differences to help each other become civicminded, productive, lifelong learners.”
Ida Cisneros Frenship ISD’s Ida Cisneros was named as a finalist for Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. A middle school English/language arts and reading teacher, Cisneros has been teaching in the district for 10 years. Her focus is on helping every student reach his or her potential, with a goal of guiding all of her students to expand their minds through literacy.
Cisneros focuses on not only teaching her students traditional lessons in reading and writing, but also preparing them for the careers of the future through interactive and hands-on literature analysis, using technology in novel and creative ways. She also encourages community responsibility in her students, and worked with her classes to gather dog toys to donate to a local police office’s K-9 unit.
“As a teacher it is easy to become bogged down by assessments, data, lesson planning, meetings, training, but we must remember the only thing worth teaching for are the hearts of our students,” Cisneros wrote. “When you take your eyes off of yourself and begin to sincerely care for others, you will find purpose and joy in life. You will begin to believe that your problems aren’t nearly as bad as you think they are, and you will see that your love can make all the difference in the world.”
Alexis Miller A third grade teacher at Lewisville ISD’s Southridge Elementary School, Alexis Miller was named a 2021 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year finalist. An LISD graduate herself, Miller has been teaching in the district for six years. Her passion lies in creating an innovative, handson and high-energy learning environment for her students.
Miller created an initiative called Rise Up Girls, a program meant to support social and emotional learning, self-awareness, healthy habits and empowerment for girls in upper elementary grades. The program includes mentorship opportunities and small-group sessions designed to embrace inclusivity.
“I desperately want all my scholars to understand how powerful their voices are,” Miller wrote. “There are times when our scholars speak so clearly. We as educators must remain humble enough to listen. I want my scholars to feel fearless and confident even when it seems too tough. Our schools should welcome voices of all frequencies — no matter if it’s a loud cheer or a subtle whisper.”
TASA is grateful to our 2020–21 corporate partners for their support.
Each level of the Corporate Partner Program is designed to offer our partners quality exposure to association members. Partners at the President’s Circle, Platinum, and Gold levels may customize special events and opportunities.
PRESIDENT’S CIRCLE Amazon Business Apple, Inc. Edgenuity Forecast5 Analytics Google for Education Huckabee LPA, Inc. NWEA PBK Raise Your Hand Texas Scholastic Stantec Thoughtexchange VLK Architects
PLATINUM ClassLink College Board DLR Group Dr. Ruby K. Payne dba aha! Process, Inc. Edmentum Education Advanced, Inc. Education Elements GermBlast Gravely Attorneys & Counselors K12 Insight Milliken Navigate360 QuaverEd.com Renaissance Savvas Learning Company TCG Advisors
GOLD
Achieve3000 Amplify Discovery Education ETS engage2learn Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Houston ISD - MFCS N2 Learning Naturally Slim Schneider Electric
SILVER Corgan EveryDay Labs Harris Co. Dept. of Education H-E-B Pearson Legal, P.C. Scientific Learning Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle P.C.
BRONZE BTC Curriculum Associates Hilltop Securities INDECO Sales, Inc. Istation iteachTEXAS JASON Learning Kognito Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson, LLP MeTEOR Education Naviance by Hobsons Panorama Education R-Zero Vanir Construction Management WB Manufacturing LLC WRA Architects
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