Tomball ISD Virtually Celebrates Teachers, Paraprofessionals of the Year
Tomball ISD Virtually Celebrates Teachers, Paraprofessionals of the Year
TOMBALL - As another successful school year comes to a close, Tomball ISD spent the final day of school virtually recognizing its 2019-2020 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year and Paraprofessionals of the Year during video conference calls.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Martha Salazar-Zamora, Board of Trustees President Michael J. Pratt, campus principals and staff joined in on the celebration, recognizing four of Tomball’s very best from this school year.
"As Superintendent of Schools, I look forward each year to the moment we are able to celebrate and recognize the best of the best in Tomball ISD,” said Salazar-Zamora. “It was my honor to join Board of Trustees President Michael Pratt today as we surprised our Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year and Paraprofessionals of the Year during campus video conference calls to deliver the great news.”
“Recognizing our A+ Teachers and their success is so important to the Tomball ISD Board of Trustees! We love to recognize these teachers and paraprofessionals that are change makers and we want to make sure that the contributions are publicly recognized and appreciated,” said Pratt.
“We are very fortunate to have many talented and dedicated educators across the district. These four ladies have gone above and beyond to serve their students and campus while exemplifying what it means to be a part of Team Tomball and Destination Excellence,” Salazar-Zamora said.
Betsy Castille was one of two Lakewood Elementary teachers honored for their commitment to education as A+ Teachers this year. She currently serves as an ESL Specialist and has been with Lakewood Elementary since 2007.
Betsy Castille on being named Elementary Teacher of the Year:
"This award represents my heart's work and is a tribute to every teacher who has molded me along the way. To even be nominated among those that I teach with at Lakewood Elementary is an incredible honor. I serve as a champion for all those that I teach--finding the best way to reach each learner and advocating for their individual needs. It is a great privilege to work in Tomball ISD at Lakewood because it has become my home in every sense of the word--I teach here, I live here, and I raise my family here. I’m all in!”
Principal Deanna Porter on Betsy Castille being named Elementary Teacher of the Year:
“She is so deserving of this award because she absolutely loves her students. She helps support not only our students but our teachers around the building by serving as our ESL Specialist. We are very proud of her and are excited to congratulate her.”
Holly Dressel serves as an ESL Specialist at Creekside Park Junior High and was named an A+ Teacher this year. She has been in Tomball ISD and at Creekside Park Junior High for the last two years.
Holly Dressel on being named Secondary Teacher of the Year:
"I became a teacher because my own children sparked in me a passion for guiding students to become successful learners, no matter what challenges they may encounter,” said Dressel. “In my experience as a teacher, my students have encountered challenges like being an English language learner, having learning disabilities, experiencing home environment difficulties, and more. Yet time and again, despite such challenges, these resilient students have proven capable to be successful learners! As someone who has always believed in hope, I know the power of spreading the message of hope through education to students who struggle about their potential to be successful learners no matter what. This drives my passion as an educator and keeps me motivated and excited in my career as I continue to learn and grow in my craft. This award of Secondary Teacher of the Year in Tomball ISD is honoring and humbling to me because it recognizes the small and steady efforts of one of many hard working educators with a strong vision for her students. Thank you Tomball ISD, Tomball Board of Trustees, and my school family at Creekside Park Junior High!"
2019-2020 Secondary Principal of the Year Dr. Mindy Munoz on Holly Dresell being named Secondary Teacher of the Year:
“This honor comes at no surprise to me as Holly welcomes all students into her classroom with a warm heart and a big smile. She has the ability to build confidence in her learners so they can soar to their personal bests. She is thoughtful and intentional in her instruction but also has a strong ability to build great relationships with her students and their families.”
Yolanda Archer is a bilingual instructional aide at Rosehill Elementary and works closely with the Two-Way Dual Language Academy students and teachers. She has been working in Tomball ISD for 20 years.
Yolanda Archer on being named Paraprofessional of the Year:
“Tomball ISD has been a home for me. I have worked 20 years and I have learned and grown as a professional by learning new strategies to help children with and during interventions in struggling areas. I feel honored to receive this recognition. I come to work every day, without expecting such an award; and I am thrilled that I was recognized this year. I don't have words to express how grateful I am. I love children from my heart and I always think of whatever I can do to help them any possible way to be successful. This year I was fortunate to work with the TWDL program and I was able to use my experience to help shape the little minds and hearts as they learned a new language. "Rosehill Elementary is the happiest place in the hill" because of the teachers, the great administration and everyone else that works here, and who I love as a family.”
Principal Gloria Vasquez on Yolanda Archer being named Paraprofessional of the Year:
“Ms. Archer is kind, loving and always has a smile on her face. When she is in the classroom, she never misses a beat and is always willing to help in any way she can. She is dependable, professional and is constantly seeking ways to help the little ones. Ms. Archer has a special way of spreading the love of learning to each one of her students. There are several reasons for the success of the TWDL Academy in its first year and she is, without a doubt, one of them.”
Pam Caplinger has been in Tomball ISD for over 35 years and serves as the administrative assistant to Principal Chad Allman at Tomball Junior High.
Pam Caplinger on being named Paraprofessional of the Year:
“Serving the staff and students of Tomball for the past 35 years has been a privilege beyond anything I could have imagined. The Spirit of Excellence is strong in Tomball ISD and I am confident it will remain so as we move into the future.”
Principal Chad Allman on Pam Caplinger being named Paraprofessional of the Year:
“Pam deserves this recognition for being an expert professional and the keystone of our school. In addition to being my invaluable assistant as Principal, she’s a wealth of administrative knowledge. She is by nature a caring person and a tremendously positive influence at Tomball Junior High. I’m proud to have her on our campus.”
ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 18,000 students at 20 campuses.
- 2019-2020
- A+ Awards