Hays CISD teachers Jöel Johnson (left) and AnneMarie Garza are serving as the Hays CISD Secondary Teacher of the Year and the Elementary Teacher of the Year, respectively. The two standouts will compete for Regional Teacher of the Year honors. (Photo by Tommy Hultgren)
by JIM CULLEN
There’s been a lot about the state of teaching in the State of Texas this year. Legislative forces fought out budgetary battles and much was made of what teachers are expected to deliver in their classrooms. Locally, that base is being well-covered by many outstanding teachers, 22 of whom were recognized as campus teachers of the year in May. Out of that annual array of top-notch educators, two standouts have once again been singled out to represent the district as HCISD Secondary Teacher of the Year and HCISD Elementary Teacher of the Year. Chapa Middle School’s Jöel Johnson and Camino Real Elementary’s AnneMarie Garza will carry the secondary and elementary titles, respectively, into consideration for the Region XIII Teacher of the Year competition.
Carolyn Hitt, who serves as the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, is, as would be expected, proud of her entire cadre of professional educators, while acknowledging the special nature of the recognition. “I’ve got unmitigated pride in the number of outstanding teachers we have throughout the district, but AnneMarie and Jöel represent the best of our profession.” She notes, “Their can-do attitude is reflected in their students’ success and they both clearly demonstrate to their students that learning and hard work do pay off.”
Johnson and Garza have each completed and submitted entry forms to the Central Texas regional competition, the results of which will be announced early this fall. Should they be selected as regional winners, they will move on to state competition for Texas Teacher of the Year honors. One teacher eventually represents each state at the National Teacher of the Year competition.
It’ll be a while before it’s known whether Johnson or Garza move on in the competition, but those who are familiar with their work are quick to say why these two teachers rightfully represent the best of the profession.
At Camino Real Elementary, Principal Marivel Sedillo says third-grade teacher Garza is “driven by a passion to make a difference. She refuses to give up on any child and will work diligently to see them progress.” Her motto is, “Do whatever it takes!” Describing her as “organized, intentional about her instructional methods, knowledgeable and inquisitive,” Sedillo says this Teacher of the Year “views education as a team effort and regularly goes above and beyond to do her part.” She sees the model educator as demonstrating a tremendous work ethic and says her campus and district are lucky to have her as part of the team.
“She is truly the epitome of an exemplary teacher,” Sedillo concludes, with little room for doubt.
The ringing endorsement of the principal is no less emphatic on Johnson’s behalf. Chapa Middle School Principal Lisa Walls, whose campus just received recognition as a Texas “School to Watch,” says, “We seek great teachers, and Jöel, one of our Language Arts instructors, exemplifies that which makes a great teacher!” She adds, “Greatness involves a passion for kids and a passion for our profession. Joel possesses these two qualities to the highest degree. Her passion for kids is seen in her everyday interaction with them – she has the ability to connect with any student and make them feel at home. Her constant hugs, high fives, compliments, and genuine conversations with them are just a few of the ways she becomes a part of their life.”
As for the profession, Walls says Johnson seeks new knowledge and shares what she learns. “She is a humble teacher who, once she learns something that engenders success, shares it with her colleagues. She is representative of our region because she represents greatness.”
A privileged glance over the two local teachers’ responses to pre-determined questions provides ample close-up evidence that what their principals say – and electing co-workers believe – about them is true. To the standard “What is Your Philosophy of Education?” prompt, Johnson says that she believes firmly in the concept of relationships. She says this means that she is open and genuinely sincere about wanting to know her students. It is a sincerity that is obvious to all.
Garza naturally has her own viewpoints, not surprisingly bearing out what her principal says about her. That description of going “above and beyond to do her part” was typified in a personal story Garza told of when she was a twelve-year-old student, assigned because of her bilingual ability to an immigrant student just arriving in an English-speaking culture. The task was no “no fun” at first, she admits, but she came to “enjoy the interaction with my fellow Mexicano.” When the school year ended, the pair’s teacher thanked her bright young student for “being a teacher when (she) couldn’t.” The teacher aptly predicted that one day Garza would be a great teacher. That prediction, too, has proven obvious to all.
