Aldine ISD Names 2024 District Teacher of the Year Finalists

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The two top recipients — an Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year — will be announced on March 8.

After each school — 83 schools— selected their Campus Teacher of the Year, the pool of 83 was narrowed down to six finalists. Each finalist has been interviewed by the Teacher of the Year selection Committee, which will select the two top teachers. The Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year. They will represent Aldine ISD as the 2024 Aldine ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

The district Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year will be announced during the annual Educators of the Year Breakfast on March 8, representing Aldine ISD in the Region 4 Teacher of the Year program.

Congratulations to the Top 6 Teacher of the Year Finalists!

Elementary Finalists

Carmichael Elementary School — Amanda Lee, Small Learning Community (SLC) Grades 1-3

“My journey to becoming a teacher began when I was 12, helping a neighbor with her 17-year-old son, Miles. He suffered from cerebral palsy and used a wheelchair. From the outside, Miles seemed low functioning, but the more time I spent with him, the more I realized that was not the case. As the story goes, the rest is history. Today, I teach in a SLC classroom, where I can teach my students for multiple years. One of my proudest moments regards one of my first students. This student came to me mid-year after being in general education. When he joined my classroom, he had no academic foundations and would often fight and scream when asked to complete any work. If you were to look into my classroom now, you would be unable to pick out which student he is. He is an entirely different child now. He speaks in complete sentences; he knows all his letters and is currently working on reading. When I need something, he is my go-to ‘teacher’s helper.’ Being able to give this student structure and believing that he could grow allowed him to absolutely flourish. My greatest accomplishment is looking at where he started and where he is now and knowing that I was the guiding force behind his change.”

— Amanda Lee

Impact Leadership Academy, Wilhemina McCraw, Grade 3 English Language Arts/Social Studies

“I took the long route, so to speak, to be a teacher. My biggest inspiration was another teacher, Mrs. Forest, who was there when I needed someone in my corner; she loved me like a daughter. I think of her often and accredit her for saving me. I’ve been recognized for getting results and closing gaps, but what is more critical to getting those results is connecting with my students. From small things like a unique handshake to greet each student to talking about feelings and offering quiet places in the classroom. It is also essential to make students realize what could be in the future and that learning can be fun. While learning the human body, we went all in. From applying to medical schools (with medical school acceptance letters — students screamed with joy to the matches), badges as “doctors in training” to white coats, it paved the way for students the entire lesson. My young ‘doctors’ even “read like professors. I had parents call to thank me for speaking life into their child and one grandmother who went ‘viral’ for posting her grandson’s doctor badge on Facebook. We never got out of character, and it was one of our most successful units and one of the best memories I have in my life.”

— Wilhemina McCraw

Johnson Elementary School — Beverly Berryman, Grade 4 Special Education Inclusion – All Subjects

“I have had the privilege of working with diverse groups of children, each with their unique challenges and aspirations. I believe in the potential of every child and the importance of providing them with the support and encouragement they need to thrive. Reflecting on my past and the obstacles I have overcome, I am reminded of the significance of resilience and determination. I have a deep empathy and understanding, which has fueled my commitment to empowering and uplifting children facing similar struggles. My journey from a challenging upbringing to a fulfilling career has underscored the transformative power of perseverance and the profound impact one can have on others. I love encouraging students to express their creativity through writing, fostering a deeper understanding of their lives and world, and empowering them to find their voices and share their stories. It includes ensuring that education transcends the classroom to foster well-rounded and engaged students. Additionally, by involving parents in social-emotional learning activities, we aimed to create a supportive environment for students and their families, fostering emotional well-being and effective communication within the community. I am grateful for the opportunities that have allowed me to pursue my calling and make a positive difference in the lives of children.”

— Beverly Berryman

Secondary Finalists

Davis High School — Leticia Vargas, Grades 9-12, Spanish 1, Spanish for Spanish Speaker 3 & 4, Spanish 4 AP

“Growing up, my family and I endured some struggles, but my biggest supporters were my family, especially my mom. One of the biggest influences on my life was my high school teacher, Mr. Reed. With his guidance and words of wisdom, I probably would have given up on attending school. I want to do the same for students going through similar hardships, and I know firsthand how important it is to build a rapport with students beyond the classroom. Being involved and supportive like Mr. Reed made me feel seen and cared for. Several of our students need similar supporting role models that believe in and encourage them to excel. I always tell my students they will always be my kids, and I will always care and believe in them. My greatest accomplishment has been helping my students further their education at a four-year institution or trade school — several continue to keep in touch. One of my former students returned to Davis this year as a Spanish teacher. It’s an amazing feeling to have inspired a student. I feel honored to mentor her and contribute to helping her flourish now as a first-year teacher and educator. My heart fills with joy knowing that I inspired her to teach the way Mr. Reed one day inspired me.”

— Leticia Vargas

Eisenhower High School — Óscar Medina, Visual Arts Photography

“Education and the arts are integral to my family’s legacy, with several uncles who are respected, esteemed retired educators in Mexico. As a passionate art educator, I must nurture talented students, ensuring they surpass me and achieve heights I may not have reached, fostering their growth and maturity. Reflecting on my time as a student at Aldine ISD, art consistently emerged as my favorite subject. Former teachers and leaders like Mary (Taylor) DeChambres, Ron Venable, and Michaelann Kelley played a pivotal role in my life. Their guidance and the collaborative environment within the Fine Arts Department deepened my passion for the visual arts and forged enduring relationships with fellow students. Witnessing their transformative impact inside and outside the classroom serves to this day as a guiding principle. I aspire to emulate their example, instilling confidence and expressive creativity in all my students. Beyond imparting artistic skills to my students, I want to create an educational journey characterized by inspiration and personal growth. Creating an empathetic, positive environment where every student’s voice is valued reinforces the belief that small acts of kindness can wield significant influence. Each student in my classroom carries a unique narrative, facing challenges linked to social status, gender, or cultural background. Despite these obstacles, they demonstrate resilience, surmounting hurdles to achieve success.”

— Óscar Medina

Victory Early College High School — Sokhna Kabore, Algebra 1 Grade 9, Algebra 2 Grades 9, 10, and 11, Geometry Grades 10 and 11

“I arrived at teaching when I had my ‘aha’ moment in college — I discovered a deep joy in tutoring my peers while pursuing petroleum engineering. I shifted from engineering to education because I wanted to directly impact individuals’ lives. Seeing the transformative power of education firsthand, I realized that my true passion lies in guiding and empowering others to reach their full potential. My most significant accomplishment in my teaching journey is fostering a love for learning. These moments have been gratifying, whether creating engaging lesson plans tailored to diverse learning styles, mentoring students beyond academics, or instilling confidence in those who doubted their abilities. Knowing that I’ve played a part in someone’s educational journey and helped them discover their strengths is incredibly fulfilling. I don’t just to impart knowledge but also ignite curiosity and critical thinking. Drawing from my diverse background — I grew up in Senegal, West Africa — I strive to create a classroom atmosphere that celebrates different perspectives and encourages students to embrace their uniqueness while understanding the importance of teamwork and collaboration. I am a teacher because I believe in the transformative power of education. I am driven by a desire to inspire and empower future generations to reach their full potential.”

— Sokhna Kabore