Each year, teachers on all eight Mt. Pleasant ISD campuses pick one of their own to honor as Campus Teacher of the Year. This honor means a lot because if comes from one’s own peers – the people who see you on your best days and your worst days. The people who understand what you face and do daily because they face and do the same things.
From this select group of eight teachers, members of the Mt. Pleasant-Titus County Retired School Personnel Association are charged with choosing the District Teachers of the Year.
This choice is not easy. In fact, this year, as every year, it was extremely difficult. But when the discussion was over and the votes counted, a unanimous decision had been reached. Noemi Osorino, a kindergarten teacher at Annie Sims Elementary School had been named the MPISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Ann Jenkins, a math teacher at Mount Pleasant High School, had been named MPISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
MPISD Elementary Teacher of the Year: Noemi Osornio
Noemi Osornio grew up in Northeast Texas, graduating from Mt. Vernon High School in 2002. She earned her degree from Texas A&M-Commerce. She has been a Kindergarten teacher at Annie Sims Elementary School for nine years. Osornio says that her own teachers inspired her to become a teacher. “They were a big encouragement to me and this in turn motivated me to want to inspire children to follow their dreams.” The thing Osornio likes most about teaching is “seeing students flourish during the school year. Watching students who know very little at the beginning of the school year, reading and writing at the end, is the most rewarding feeling as a teacher. Knowing that I contributed to their success is the biggest accomplishment I could ask for.” Osornio said that her philosophy of teaching is simple, “you must always have a plan.” She added, “Now it does not always work out the way you want it to, but having a plan is always a good start. To me, having a plan is essential for student success.” Osornio’s husband Carlos is a mechanical engineer at Andritz Separation Incorporated. They have one daughter, 3-year-old Anabella.
MPISD Secondary Teacher of the Year: Ann Jenkins
Ann Jenkins was born and raised in Pittsburg, Texas. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics at the University of Texas at Tyler and her Master of Science degree from East Texas State University. She has been with Mt. Pleasant ISD for 29 years. She serves as the Department Head for Mathematics at Mt. Pleasant High School. When asked why she became a teacher, Jenkins said, “I have never wanted to be anything else. I come from a long line of teachers.” What does she like most about teaching? “I enjoy the students and working with them. I also enjoy having the most supportive and wonderful department – the math department at MPHS.” She said her philosophy of teaching is expressed in a song by Whitney Houston: “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. I try to remember that these ‘kids’ could be taking care of me some day.” Jenkins’ husband Bobby works for Atlas Roofing Company. They have one son Braden. Their family also includes step-daughter and husband, Amber and Patrick Noble, step-son Bryce and two granddaughters Adalynn Noble and Aubrey Jenkins.
Campus Teachers of the Year
The Child Development Center Teacher of the Year is Bilingual teacher Olga Tellez Ramirez. Born in Mexico, she came to the U.S. when she was one. She is a graduate of Como-Pickton High School, Northeast Texas Community College and Texas A&M University-Texarkana where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in 2011. She has been at the CDC since 2009, starting as a Teacher Assistant while still in college. She became a Pre-K Bilingual/Dual educator in 2011. When asked why she became a teacher, Tellez said. “I wanted to have students learn not only because they had to but because I had embedded a craving to learn. I became a teacher not only because I wanted to teach students so that they may be successful but also to demonstrate to them that they are each special and unique and to give them a sense of belonging despite failure or success.” What Tellez said she likes about teaching is “feeling accomplished when I see students feel the passion I felt in school about learning. Seeing a child reach milestones, implement knowledge you have taught or demonstrate excitement of coming to school to learn are all tremendously rewarding.” Of her philosophy of teaching, Tellez says: “I believe that a teacher has to give time not only to classroom preparation or to teach every concept in the book but take the time to get to know each student. In order for students to learn what you teach the teacher must learn who she is teaching to. Without doing so, lessons that may show to be exemplary will not be successful for anyone.”
The E.C. Brice Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Special Education Interventionist Celeste Roach. Born in Marshall and raised in Pittsburg, Roach graduated from Pittsburg High School, earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University, and her Masters in Elementary Education from Texas A&M-Texarkana. She has been with the District since 1982. When asked why she became a teacher, Roach said, “As I began to explore career fields, I thought about ways in which I could create safe, loving, non-threatening environments for others. Teaching was the avenue in which to do this.” What she likes most about teaching is “playing a small part in the challenge of creating life-long learners.” Roach said her philosophy of teaching “is the same as it was when I began my teaching career back in 1980. My mission is to recognize the potential in each of my students and to cultivate that potential.” Roach and her husband Jon have two daughters, Rachel and Rosanna, both pursuing degrees in education.
The Corprew Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Third Grade Bilingual teacher Tiffani Powell. Born in Dallas, she moved to Mt. Vernon when she was seven. She attended Jacksonville College, NTCC and Texas A&M-Texarkana, graduating with a teaching degree in 2008. She just earned her Master’s degree in Teaching, Learning and Curriculum with a specialization in Bilingual Education. She has been with the district since 2009, spending five years at Vivian Fowler and one at Corprew. When asked why she became a teacher, Powell said, “I became a teacher to make a difference in the lives of children. I have always loved language and the avenue that language creates between people so I decided to use Spanish to become a bilingual teacher. I had grown up in a family of teachers, so the thought of teaching came naturally.” Of teaching, Powell said “I love when the students just ‘get it’. You can see the fire and light in their eyes and know that the knowledge you imparted could stay with them forever.” When asked her philosophy of teaching Powell said, “All students can learn. I have heard this often and have believed this for years, but through my experience as a teacher, I have learned how important the collaboration between all professionals who work with students is. This collaboration can change the outcome of our special populations.” Powell’s husband Ryan is a mechanic at Pilgrims.
The Teacher of the Year at Vivian Fowler Elementary School is First Grade teacher Tina C. Hill. She grew up in Daingerfield, attended Tyler Junior College and graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has taught at Fowler for 16 years, 3 years in Second Grade and the last 13 as a First Grade teacher. Hill said she became a teacher “to work with kids and try to make a difference in their lives. I have stayed in teaching because I absolutely love teaching them to read.” What she enjoys most about teaching? “Teaching students to read and the people I work with. I love my team!” On her philosophy of teaching, Hill said, “My number one belief to be a good teacher is to build a solid, strong relationship with each child, to help them reach their full potential. I teach to each individual’s needs and find their strengths to help them succeed.” Hill has a daughter Miranda Girard, a MPHS graduate and a son, Noah Wall, a 10th grader at MPHS.
The Teacher of the Year at P.E. Wallace Middle School is Sixth Grade Language Arts teacher Dana Armstrong. She was born in Garland, moving to Daingerfield in 1979. She graduated from high school a year early, earned her Associates of Science from Northeast Texas Community College and her Bachelor degree from Texas A&M University-Texarkana. She joined the District eleven years ago. Armstrong said she became a teacher because she “had three wonderful teachers from 2nd through 4th grade. Their love and dedication for their students stuck with me. I wanted to be like them, to see children grow, and love to learn. To make a difference in the lives of students placed in my care, just like Mrs. Mays, Mrs. Theobald and Mrs. Quarles.” When asked what she likes about teaching she said, “Each year I am given the opportunity to take under my wing new students who become ‘my kids’ becoming a part of my heart. We become a family; we have good times along with the bad. They know that I love them, but also know school is important for success in the future.” On her philosophy of teaching, Armstrong said, “It is very important to know your students on an academic and personal level. This gives you a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.” Armstrong and her husband Jeff have three children: Jessica, a student at Stephen F. Austin University majoring in Education, Eryn, a junior at MPHS and Matthew, a freshman at MPHS.
The Teacher of the Year at Mount Pleasant Junior High School is 8th Grade American History Teacher and Girls Athletic Coordinator and Coach Bryan Keith Shelton. He was born in Naples, Texas and raised and attended school in Hughes Springs. He earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Texas State University and a MBA from Texas A&M-Commerce. He has been at Mt. Pleasant Junior High for six years. Shelton entered the field of education with the intention of becoming an administrator but said, “within a few months, however, I realized that the classroom is where I belong.” What he likes most about teaching is “building relationships with my kids.” When asked his philosophy of teaching, Shelton said, “Make every decision with this question in mind, ‘What is best for the kids?” Shelton has five nephews – Noah, Levi, Landry, Jansen and Asher, two nieces – Bethany and Olivia, and one on the way.
These teachers have advice for young people, or anyone, considering a career in teaching. Most agree that teaching is rewarding, challenging and not a 9 to 5 job. They challenge new teachers to treat students as individuals, to expect great things from their students and to have fun.
In their own words they say:
“Make sure you love children and really want to educate them,” said Powell. “Teaching is a difficult career where you don’t make much money, but in the end the reward you receive is priceless.”
Hill agrees. She said, “You better really want to do it because it is not easy and it’s not about summers off. The better your relationship with your parents and students, the more success you will have in the classroom.”
Osornio said anyone considering becoming a teacher should, “Make sure that you have a passion for children. Teaching is extremely challenging and demanding, yet it is also one of the most fulfilling jobs. This job cannot be taken lightly, you will be responsible for preparing young children for their future, so make sure that your heart is in it.”
Shelton’s advice would be “Only become a teacher if you have a passion for working with kids. If you are considering it or any other reasons, like summers off, don’t bother. This profession should only be for those who want to make a difference in the lives of our future.”
Tellez echoed this advice when she said “Being a teacher is a job that takes time, dedication and lots of patience. It’s a job that doesn’t start at 8 and end at 3. Teaching is a full-time job with lots of overtime. Being a teacher can take a lot from you but give you so much more back. Being part of a child’s life is a privilege that should be dearly appreciated.”
Roach would tell them, “Make the emotional well-being of your students a number one priority. Remember that the students who are the hardest to love need love the most. And be flexible.”
Armstrong’s advice for future teachers is “When working with students, make sure they see your curiosity, have fun in your class, and embrace the uniqueness of each student. Be sure to connect with positive educators, embrace change and keep a growth mindset.”
Jenkins said, “Don’t give up too soon would be my advice. I think too many young teachers give up too quickly because of the stress of the job.”
“These eight teachers exemplify what is good about public education, what is good about Mount Pleasant ISD schools,” said MPISD Superintendent of Schools Judd Marshall. “They care about their students. They go the extra mile. They serve as role models for their students and for their colleagues. They give of themselves daily to make sure all of our students receive the best possible education. We are blessed that they have chosen to work for MPISD.”
The Mount Pleasant ISD Teachers of the Year were recognized at the May 23 Board of Trustees meeting and will be honored at the End-of-Year Breakfast Friday, June 3, 2016.
MPISD Teachers of the Year are:
Front row (l-r): Bryan Keith Shelton (MPJHS), Tiffani Powell (Corprew), Ann Jenkins (MPHS), Noemi Osornio (Sims), Celeste Roach (Brice)
Back row: Olga Tellez Ramirez (CDC) Tina Hill (Fowler), Dana Armstrong (Wallace).