MPE’s Cathleen Barnette and the RISD Prize Patrol
Update: A fourth LH area teacher was honored Friday: Cathleen Barnette from Merriman Park Elementary. Barnette teaches English, but was out on Prize Patrol day. Congrat, Ms. Barnette!
Three Lake Highlands educators were surprised in their classrooms this week to learn that they are among nine of Richardson ISD’s 2017 STARS (Superior Teaching Achievement in RISD Schools) Teachers of the Year. Matthew Morris (AVID college readiness at Lake Highlands High School), Jessica Orozco (Spanish at Forest Meadow Junior High) and Shannon Johnson (5th grade at Moss Haven Elementary) all were honored.
The awards are administered by the Excellence in Education Foundation, and winners are chosen through a comprehensive process which includes nomination by the school, interviews by the committee and observations in the classroom.
A “prize patrol,” including RISD Superintendent Dr. Jeannie Stone and members of the EIE Foundation board and selection committee, visited teachers in their classrooms with balloons, flowers and a check for $1,000.
Also honored were: Jennifer Cheng (Richardson High), Bonnie Denman (Richland ES), Leigh Ann Hushfield (Apollo JH), Amelia Icossipentarhos (Westwood JH), Craig Sandy (Richardson Heights ES) and Caitlin Wright (Northwood Hills ES).
Congratulations, all!
LHHS’ Matthew Morris and students
Jessica Orozco, FMJH Spanish teacher, with the RISD Prize Patrol
Shannon Johnson, Moss Haven 5th grade teacher, is surprised by her award
Matthew Morris receives his check at LHHS
