Teacher of the Year 2011

TYLER — Thirty Tyler school teachers were honored Tuesday night as campus teachers of the year. They were recognized at the district’s annual Teacher of the Year banquet at the Harvey Convention Center. From that group two were singled out as Tyler’s “Teachers of the Year.” Jones Elementary MST Academy fifth grade teacher Michelle Beas was named the 2011 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Hubbard Middle School MYP humanities teacher Cindy Nick was named the 2011 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Beas believes teaching is a way of life. “It is my calling and passion”, said Beas. “It is a profession with so much responsibility, challenge, and joy. It has, and continues to be, so rewarding to watch students surpass my wildest expectations. Teaching for me is the ultimate celebration of life.”

Nick says her devotion to teaching began at a very young age and continues to be her passion and purpose today. “I am convinced that education is the key to understanding while understanding is instrumental in creating a world where people of all cultures can co-exist peacefully on this ever-shrinking planet,” said Nick when describing her philosophy of teaching. “In my opinion, teaching is an art that comes from the heart; it’s about inspiration, not simply motivation,”

Criteria for selection of both the campus Teachers of the Year and the District Teachers of the Year included, among other items: playing an active and useful role in their community, commitment to the teaching profession through continuous improvement, and lessons that creatively engage and inspire students to achieve high academic standards. Tyler’s top two teachers will now compete at the regional level this summer.