UPDATED: Four finalists named for 2008-2009 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year

Five finalists for Teacher Assistant of the year will also be honored May 20

Updated 11:25 a.m., May 16, 2008

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — Dallas Independent School District Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa will announce the 2008 Teacher of the Year and Teacher Assistant of the Year at an awards program, Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30 p.m., at the Old Red Courthouse.

The event will honor the four Teacher of the Year finalists and the five Teacher Assistant of the Year finalists. Central Market will award $5,000 to the Teacher of the Year and $1,000 to each of the other three finalists. The Teacher Assistant of the Year will receive $1,500 and the other four finalists will be awarded $250 each.

The Teacher of the Year finalists are Rita Hines, School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center; Judith Kern, Nancy Moseley Elementary School; Elizabeth Powers, Robert T. Hill Middle School; and Suzy Smith, Edna Rowe Elementary School.

A committee of judges selected the Teacher of the Year semifinalists and finalists based on several criteria, among them the ability to inspire and motivate all learners, their level of community involvement, and quality of interaction with parents and peers.

The finalists for the 2008 Teacher Assistant of the Year are Freddia Ferrell, Birdie Alexander Elementary School; Natalie Brown, Frank Guzick Elementary School; Tu Nguyen, Esperanza “Hope” Medrano Elementary School; Yvonne Green, School Community Guidance Center, high school program at the Alternative Placement Center at Village Fair; and Melony Holmes, H.S. Thompson Learning Center.

Source: DISD