October 2018

Leanne Woods is the second recipient of a quarterly $250 recognition provided to outstanding special education teachers by Carter Financial Management. Recipients can use the funds to spend on items for their classrooms.

Parents, community and staff are encouraged to identify nominees that demonstrate qualities of a distinguished special education teacher, setting high standards and demonstrating commitment for improving outcomes for students who receive special education services in Dallas ISD.

Woods is a specialized programs teacher at Preston Hollow Elementary.  She was nominated by an administrator, parent and colleague. Below are some of the comments that were made during the nomination.

• “She is one of the first people at school. She is always smiling and open to help every single person who reaches out for her, no matter what.”

• “She encourages inclusion throughout the entire school and creates opportunities for the special education students to interact with all students within the school. They have reading partners with other classes and even pen pals with other classes.”

New teachers were invited to Touchdown for Teachers on Saturday, Oct. 27, at the SMU football game. The first 500 teachers who registered claimed two complimentary tickets to the game

During the halftime program, Dallas ISD teachers Matthew Abernathy and Melisa Simon were recognized as “Rising Stars.”

Abernathy is an Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus teacher at Justin F. Kimball High School. Simon is a fifth-grade science teacher at Annie Webb Blanton Elementary School who we featured previously on The Hub because after graduating from W.W. Samuell Early College High School, she was able to complete her bachelor’s degree and begin her teaching career at age 20.

The event also officially launched the Best in Class Coalition, a group of 50 organizations across DFW that are working to ensure all students have access to excellent teachers.

Shelly Thibodaux, a P.E. teacher and coach at Dallas ISD’s Robert T. Hill Middle School, is October’s “Excellent Educator.”

The award included a $1,000 check for the school, presented by SMU President Dr. R. Gerald Turner.

The Excellent Educator program is coordinated by NBC 5 and SMU to honor educators in the region who go above and beyond. Learn more about how Thibodaux makes a positive difference for students at Hill Middle School here.