HOUSTON – It’s no secret that teachers are superheroes. Whether they’re in the classroom for a year or for life, teachers deserve appreciation for their important work shaping young minds. To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, we asked Insiders to nominate teachers by telling us why an educator they know is amazing. The answers we received were inspiring and insightful.
KPRC 2 and TutorVille honored these teachers who have risen to the challenges of teaching and connecting with their students.
Friday Teacher Appreciation Week Winner
Ms. Godoy- Port Houston Elementary School
“Maria Godoy is an incredible teacher. She has been at this school for over two decades, teaching hundreds of kids over the years. She constantly goes above and beyond for her students, writing multiple grants to make sure her students have everything from tablets to snacks to essential hygiene needs. She personally gets to know each family and their needs and forms relationships with them all. She takes on extra tasks within the school. She is the most exceptional teacher I’ve ever met.”
Thursday Teacher Appreciation Week Winner
Ms. Lopez - Patterson Elementary School
“Ms. Lopez is an amazing teacher just like all teachers, but what makes her exceptional is how she goes above and beyond for her students. Ms. Lopez takes pride of her students and makes learning a fun environment when it comes to STAAR. She won this year Bilingual teacher of the year, she’s the Social Emotional Learning Liaison for her campus and a mentor.”
Wednesday Teacher Appreciation Week Winner
Ms. Blair - Moore Elementary School
“Ms. Blair is an amazing second grade teacher at Moore Elementary in the Pasadena ISD. She has a student who is currently battling cancer for the second time. She keeps him updated every day that he is absent through a program. When the student is out his monkey, Harry, takes his place in class. Ms. Blair and her students make sure to document, with photos and in writing, the many experiences Harry has throughout the day. The student gets an email daily about Harry.”
Tuesday Teacher Appreciation Week Winner
Ms. Irving - Moore Elementary School
“Ms. Irving is an amazing, exceptional teacher at Travis Elementary. Having 17 years of teaching under her belt, she has always excelled in being an outstanding instructor. Ms. Irving believes in meeting students where they are and celebrating their individual differences. She is a special education teacher who teaches students with Autism. Children with autism can display a number of challenges but Ms. Irving’s teaching style helps them to grow not just academics but personal achievements.”
Monday Teacher Appreciation Week Winner
Ms. Anaya - James DeAnda Elementary School
“Ms. Anaya is an amazing teacher. She has been teaching for HISD for over 25 years. She loves her job and strives to make an impact on her students lives on a daily basis. When Ms. Anaya is not in her classroom, you can find her coaching her schools run team and encouraging them to live active, healthy lives. Oh, and she volunteers to teach summer school.”
“Ms. Masters goes above and beyond for each student and making sure she knows each one of their interests to make sure her warm ups have videos of their favorite songs or movies to brighten their day!!”
“Ms. Sadiya Ishaq is a loving, knowledgeable, creative and passionate teacher that can make sure all her kids learn and be heard. In this day and age it’s important for a teacher to not just teach but inspire those around her, her students are so lucky to not only have her as a teacher but a role model and a friend.”
“Ms. Kusler is the absolute best Kindergarten teacher around! She’s taught my child not just the basic subjects, but how to be a good person, kind, loving, and so intelligent!”
“Ms. Lacquey teaches AP US and Dual Credit US History at Katy HS. She cares about her students and consistently participates in professional development opportunities to enhance her content knowledge and teaching practices to benefit them and other teachers.”
“Ms. Crawford is my daughters Pre-K teacher and she goes above and beyond for her students. Dressing up all the time to make their topic of teaching interesting, to personally contacting parents to keep parents involved in the class projects. No week goes by the kids don’t come home with a project. She is a phenomenal teacher!”