Congratulations to Region 7 Teacher of the Year: Whitney Crews

For Shanna Peeples and Whitney Crews, teaching found them, in spite of attempts from others to lure them into some other profession.  These two educators were both honored with the state's top teaching award for providing their students with a sense of hope, a love for learning, and endless possibilities for their future.  They were honor at a special ceremony and luncheon at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, sponsored by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).

Crews, a sixth-grade English language arts teacher at E.J. Moss Intermediate in Lindale ISD was named the 2015 Elementary Teacher of the Year.


"Congratulations to Shanna and Whitney for being not only outstanding educators, but for taking time to truly connect with their students, showing them that the possibilities for their future are limitless," said Johnny Veselka, Executive Director of TASA. "The teachers we are honoring today are deeply committed to supporting, guiding, instructing, and encouraging each and every student, and do so with little fanfare. But today, please help me celebrate these Teachers of the Year, along with all the devoted teachers across the state who have made a difference in a student's life." ]

A sixth-grade English teacher at E.J. Moss Intermediate in Lindale ISD, Crews writes: "Often, teachers come from a long line of teachers. In my case, I am the first in my family. Most everything I do stems from my beliefs that teaching is a calling AND a talent, I must teach the whole child, and I am preparing children for the world, not just for the next grade. I feel like it is my responsibility to provide them with as many opportunities as I can in the short time that I have them. Some of my students never leave Lindale or eat in a restaurant, much less travel abroad. How can I bring them the world is a question that drives many of my plans. Knowing basic math and reading sure takes them places, but if that's all they needed, school could end at third grade. My prayer is that my students are learning to LEARN! If they don't know the answer, how do they find it? My rewards in teaching come from seeing the way students take ownership in their learning and make that connection from the classroom to their own lives and the world around them. Sometimes it comes in very small steps, but that is how every journey begins.

Each year, two teachers from each of the 20 regional Education Service Centers become eligible for two titles, Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. To achieve recognition, a teacher must first be chosen as a campus and a district Teacher of the Year, and ultimately a regional honoree. From this group of 40 regional teachers, six finalists are chosen and are interviewed by an independent panel of judges. The state's top elementary and secondary teachers are selected from these six outstanding finalists.  Each will receive a cash award, a commemorative trophy and other prizes.

Peeples, who teaches 11th grade English at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo Independent School District, was named the 2015 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. Peeples will also represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year competition.  Read more about Ms. Peeples.