Andrea Garza named one of six finalists for 2018 Texas Teacher of the Year
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Aug 21, 2017, Comments Off
Courtesy Rocio Moore,
The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) announced today that six outstanding educators from across Texas have been chosen as finalists in the 2018 Texas Teacher of the Year Program.
We are pleased to announce United ISD’s very own, Andrea Garza, is finalist for this award. Mrs. Garza teaches 10th Grade World History Teacher at United South High School and is the most recent recipient of both United ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year and Region One District Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Garza has been an educator for the past 11 years.
“I believe in the power of education and the potential of every student,” said Garza, who not only teaches World History and serves as the Social Studies Department Chair. “Like many educators, I want to motivate. I want to impact and reach students in a way that encourages a love for lifelong learning. I want my students to appreciate the complexity of the human experience to develop a global perspective, to view difference with empathy and compassion, and to intrinsically strive for more knowledge. These skills are fundamental to becoming civic leaders and competent civic actors. These skills are necessary to change the world.”
The finalists were chosen by a panel of judges composed of representatives of Texas Teacher Associations. Finalists were selected from forty Texas Regional Teachers of the Year — one elementary and one secondary teacher from each of the 20 Texas Education Service Center regions was selected.
“Today we recognize six Texas educators who show true dedication to their students,” said Johnny L. Veselka, Executive Director of TASA, which has coordinated the Texas Teacher of the Year Program since 2011. “They represent the thousands of devoted educators across our state who inspire students to excel both in and beyond the classroom.”
The six finalists will be invited to Austin in September for interviews before a panel of judges composed of representatives of educational leadership associations, community and business leaders, a member of the State Board for Educator Certification, a member of the State Board of Education, and prior Texas Teachers of the Year.
The panel will select two state-level winners — Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year — and designate one to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony Sept. 15 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, where the 40 Regional Teachers of the Year will also be recognized.
The Texas Teacher of the Year Program has honored excellence in classroom education since 1969. The program, facilitated by TASA since 2011, annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. To learn more more about this program visit tasanet.org/texasTOY.TASA is the professional association for Texas school administrators, providing networking and professional learning opportunities, legislative advocacy, and targeted communications to support the work of superintendents and other school leaders. TASA’s mission is to promote, provide and develop leaders who create and sustain student-centered schools and develop future-ready students.
