Originally published on 4/8/2020
Every day, thousands of Alvin ISD teachers and paraprofessionals encourage, inspire and motivate students to reach for academic success. These dedicated leaders work to make a difference in the future of tomorrow—and their hard work and devotion do not go unnoticed.
Alvin ISD campuses have the option to nominate one outstanding educator, paraprofessional, and rookie teacher to receive the Campus Teacher of the Year, Paraprofessional of the Year, and Rookie Teacher of the Year titles. For the Teacher of the Year category, each campus winner submitted an application answering essay questions which asked each individual to truly explain why they should be chosen to represent Alvin ISD at the Region 4 level. This year, the Teacher of the Year Committee worked hard to determine the top ten finalists, five elementary, and five secondary, who would interview for their chance to be the overall district winner. This year, the top ten finalists are, secondary: Eva Cantu - Alvin HS, Brian Robinson - Manvel HS, Jeffrey King - Harby Jr. High, Jennipher McGraw - Manvel Jr. High, and Tasanee “Ty” Cooper - McNair Jr. High and elementary, Jenna Erwin - Disney Elementary, Heather Villaloboz - Nelson Elementary, Jeremiah Ermenc - Wilder Elementary, Classie Wilson - Sanchez Elementary, and Emma Bassett - Pomona Elementary.
The Elementary and Secondary winners will be announced in May.
Our Paraprofessional and Rookie Teachers of the Year have a separate application process. They are asked to describe why they truly love their chosen careers. The overall district winners for these categories will also be announced at a later date.
“It is an absolute honor to be named Teacher of the Year for Alvin Jr. High! I not only feel proud of myself for receiving this award, but also proud of my students for the tremendous growth they have shown this year,” Kaylee Wilson, Teacher of the Year for Alvin Junior High shared.
Congratulations to the following teachers, paraprofessionals, and rookie teachers honored:
Teachers of the Year:
Eva Cantu - Alvin HS
Brandi Sanders-Thomas - ADAPT
Brian Robinson - Manvel HS
Ashley Kaji - Shadow Creek HS
Linda Gilke - RISE Academy
Kaylee Wilson - Alvin Jr. High
Yolanda Hadnot - Rodeo Palms Jr. High
Jeffrey King - Harby Jr. High
Jennipher McGraw - Manvel Jr. High
Michael Vasquez - Nolan Ryan Jr. High
Latoya Alexander - Fairview Jr. High
Tasanee “Ty” Cooper - McNair Jr. High
Marco Esparza - Hasse Elementary
Amy Magness - Alvin Elementary
Jenna Erwin - Disney Elementary
Hona Outlaw - Passmore Elementary
Melissa Coward - EC Mason Elementary
Heather Villaloboz - Nelson Elementary
Laura Lankford - Mark Twain Elementary
Natalie Mills - Stevenson Primary
Sarah Robicheaux - Meridiana Elementary
Casey Bean - Hood-Case Elementary
Valerie Tejera - Jeter Elementary
Kimberly Price - Marek Elementary
Jeremiah Ermenc - Wilder Elementary
Classie Wilson - Sanchez Elementary
Keirstan Hairgrove - Savannah Lakes Elementary
Victoria Rios - York Elementary
Meredith Mooney - Duke Elementary
Emma Bassett - Pomona Elementary
Sonia Weber - Brothers Elementary
John Burrows - JB Hensler
Paraprofessionals of the Year:
Valarie McCoy - Alvin HS
Tammy Riddle - ADAPT
Krystal Tello - Manvel HS
Gerry Fe Magtubo - Shadow Creek HS
Michelle Deberry - RISE Academy
Jimmie Charlesworth - Alvin Jr. High
Ana Huffman - Rodeo Palms Jr. High
Elida Lara - Harby Jr. High
Kimberly Nihart - Manvel Jr. High
Debbie Lobaugh - Nolan Ryan Jr. High
Heather Poperszky - Fairview Jr. High
Ashley Minton - McNair Jr. High
Christina Adwell - Hasse Elementary
Edilia Gomez - Alvin Elementary
Elizabeth Nolen - Disney Elementary
Brittany Swope - Passmore Elementary
Maria Bahena - EC Mason Elementary
Tracey Pollard - Nelson Elementary
Dorie Bustos - Mark Twain Elementary
Juanita Lara - Stevenson Primary
Pam Taylor - Meridiana Elementary
Ashley Harmon - Hood-Case Elementary
Alina Gonzales - Jeter Elementary
Haydee Trevino - Marek Elementary
Jasmine Norman - Wilder Elementary
LaGwena Denney - Sanchez Elementary
Kendall Mazant - Savannah Lakes Elementary
Brandi Goudeau - York Elementary
Mary Karmoukos - Duke Elementary
Alma Gonzalez - Pomona Elementary
Marie Aquino - Brothers Elementary
Alex Damon - JB Hensler
Rookie Teacher of the Year:
Rachel Omerza - Alvin HS
Brandon Jenkins - ADAPT
Emeri Paige Sedillo - Manvel HS
Jennifer Elihan - Shadow Creek HS
Carissa Moran - Alvin Jr. High
Mikiyta Stepney - Rodeo Palms Jr. High
Lisa Rose - Harby Jr. High
Emily Cole - Manvel Jr. High
Giovanni Rothman - Fairview Jr. High
Georgia Olumoko - McNair Jr. High
Christopher Deleon - Alvin Elementary
Michaela Dillman - Passmore Elementary
Janelle Hart - EC Mason Elementary
Gloria Vest - Stevenson Primary
Marissa Sistrunk - Jeter Elementary
Vanessa Birdsong - Marek Elementary
Savannah Sanchez - Wilder Elementary
Jacob Chavarria - Sanchez Elementary
Kallie Holtkamp - York Elementary
Carleen Barletta - Pomona Elementary
Taylor Roberson - Brothers Elementary
Jeffrey Morrison - JB Hensler
All of the employees of the year are set to be recognized at the annual Alvin ISD Employee Recognition Ceremony, taking place on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at the new Marguerite Edwards Performing Arts Center at Alvin High School. Of course, this may change depending on the situation, but Alvin ISD will honor these individuals in some capacity. In addition, employees of the year, service award recipients, retirees, Education Foundation grant winners and principals of the year will also be honored.