Tyler Teachers of the Year Named

Tyler ISD announced the 2014 Teachers of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet held last night at the Harvey Convention Center. The District honored Campus Teachers of the Year before naming Beverly McRae as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Jennifer Sheffield as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Ms. McRae is the reading intervention teacher for kindergarten through fifth grade at Owens Elementary School and believes that the greatest blessing of her teaching career has been the students who have given her abundant joy through their smiles, laughter, and fun. According to McRae, “I am just so proud to be a teacher. I have loved teaching my entire career. And it’s really a tribute to the students who have given me love, and I have felt every moment of their love.” She said, “It isn’t a career, it is my life calling.”

Ms. Sheffield, an eighth grade social studies at Moore MST Magnet School, says her inspiration to become a teacher came from her seventh grade Texas History teacher who used creative teaching methods to bring the lessons to life. “It is such a surprise to be named Secondary Teacher of the Year because all of the nominees are such great teachers,” Ms. Sheffield said. “I hope all new teachers coming in have a passion for teaching and create a passion for learning for their students.” Sheffield added, “I work at an incredible campus, and they support everything I do, even when I get a little crazy, as I tend to get a little bit passionate about my subject.”

Twenty-seven teachers were selected as Campus Teachers of the Year. Criteria for selection of both the campus and 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.

“This has been such a fun evening celebrating our Teachers of the Year together with the Tyler ISD family, members of the community and the Cooperative Teachers Credit Union,” Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring, said. “We are so proud of Ms. McRae and Ms. Sheffield and all our Campus Teachers of the Year for the amount of work and love they give every day to benefit our students.”

More than 500 guests attended the banquet, including Tyler ISD staff, administrators, teachers, sponsors and members of the community. The District winners will compete at the regional level this summer.