"The negative news and the perception of teaching is affecting our ability to attract and retain quality educators." Milder fought back, noting Texas is ranked first, second and third in the nation in fourth and eighth grade test scores by the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
But her message didn't just come from stats.
The highlight of her address was a story about a turquoise glass serving dish given to her by Laura, one of her students in her first year of teaching who was "twice my size and very opinionated."
Milder said Laura lived with her grandfather because her mother was in prison for doing heroin. She didn't know who her father was and she was forced to steal to provide for herself and her younger sister.
"I started to think, 'How does she come here every day and focus on what I have to teach her when she has this going on in her life?'" At times standoffish, Laura dropped by to see Milder before and after school and even in the semester in which Laura did not take Milder's class.
One Christmas, Laura gave Milder a gift - one Milder said she'll never forget. "It's not the most expensive gift I've ever gotten, but it is without a doubt the most special," she said. "I use it every year on Thanksgiving to remind me not what I taught the first year, but what I learned from Laura."
"Public education gave Laura a safe place to come every day ... where we build her confidence. Where she could support herself and not make the mistakes of her parents. That is what we gave her, and that is what is not reflected in the media."
After Milder's speech, Katy ISD Communications Director Kris Taylor named the teachers of the year. Ramona Mateer, a fifth-grade science teacher at Rylander Elementary, was named Elementary District Teacher of the Year, Katy Junior High Texas history teacher Charlie Barthelemy was honored as the Secondary District Teacher of the Year award and Teresa Mustion a first-grade teacher at Franz Elementary was tapped as the Bilingual District Teacher of the Year.
Lorelei Scatamacchia a second-grade Creech Elementary teacher and Katy Junior High's seventh grade math teacher Rachel Grubb were named outstanding first-year teachers in elementary and secondary schools respectively. Another notable was John Irish a 10th grade world history teacher who received the first teacher of the year award at Seven Lakes High School.
"I always tell my students I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be" he said.
Katy ISD Teachers of the Year
Ramona Mateer
Rylander Elementary
Elementary District Teacher
Charlie Barthelemy
Katy Junior High
Secondary District
Teacher
Teresa Mustion
Franz Elementary
Bilingual Teacher
Lorelei Scatamacchia
Creech Elementary
Outstanding First Year Elementary
Teacher
Rachel Grubb
Katy Junior High
Outstanding First Year Secondary Teacher
Carol Cornelius
Alexander Elementary
Darlene Stacy
Bear Creek Elementary
Nicole Morgan
Cimarron Elementary
Cindy Williams
Creech Elementary
Katy McKeever
Exley Elementary
JoAnne Flamm
Fielder Elementary
Sonja Pixley
Franz Elementary
Becky Christian
Golbow Elementary
Angie Lindloff
Hayes
Elementary
Elsa Villarreal
Hutsell Elementary
Anne Ahnberg
Katy Elementary
Pam Stone
Kilpatrick Elementary
Angela Cabello
King Elementary
Lauri Steinke
Mayde Creek Elementary
Jenny Durkin
McRoberts Elementary
Patricia Hall
Memorial Parkway Elementary
Mary Joshua
Nottingham Country Elementary
Marcy Rose-Moehnke
Pattison Elementary
Chiqui Fey
Rhoads Elementary
Lisa Bunting
Schmalz Elementary
Pam Boyd
Sundown Elementary
Marcia Hrncir
West Memorial Elementary
Elise Jacobson W
illiams Elementary
Randi Sosa
Winborn Elementary
Joe Virant
Wolfe Elementary
Suzanne Huffman
Beck Junior High
Jerry Miller
Beckendorff Junior High
Judy Bou Kheir
Cinco Ranch Junior High
Regina Nelson
Mayde Creek Junior High
Sherri Walsh
McDonald Junior High
Jon Hesterman
McMeans Junior High
Ricky Scearce
Memorial Parkway Junior High
Roger Reaves
Morton Ranch Junior
High Debbie Fait
West Memorial Junior High
Bill Hollis
Cinco Ranch High School
Lara Gandre
Katy High School
Katy Pantzar
Mayde Creek High School
Kenny Price
Miller Career Center
Jane Hoskins
Morton Ranch High School
Jackie Green
Opportunity Awareness Center
John Irish
Seven Lakes High School
April Jatzlau
Taylor High School
Original Article Located at: http://www.hcnonline.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17253379&BRD=1574&PAG=461&dept_id=532254&rfi=6 |
