Tayna Thornburg named Region 10 Teacher of the Year
Tanya Thornburg ('95), first-grade teacher at McNeil Elementary in McKinney, Texas, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year by Region 10, an area that encompasses more than 80 districts in northeast Texas.
"This is truly the greatest honor of my career," said Thornburg. "I am touched and humbled by the award. When you are surrounded by such fabulous educators every day, it is hard to imagine being chosen for such an honor. There are just so many deserving teachers in MISD and throughout the region. I love my job and love being in the classroom every day. This is my calling."
Thornburg was selected from 51 participants throughout an intensely competitive region that includes all school districts in Collin County and surrounding areas.
"The strengths and professionalism that Tanya brings each day not only help her students achieve at a high level with energy and enthusiasm but also spur her team and peers to work collaboratively so that they are able to grow and develop their own pedagogy skills," said McNeil Elementary School principal Deborah Kanar.
Thornburg was named McKinney ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year in April at the district’s Teacher of the Year Banquet at El Dorado Country Club. She was selected by her peers as Campus Teacher of the Year and then participated in a portfolio and interview process to win the district honor.
In a note to ACU department chair Dana Hood, Tanya wrote, "You mentored me as a very young teacher just starting out and guided me through my learning. Your strong example as a teacher and Christian have made me the teacher I am today, and I wanted you to see how the seed you planted so long ago has grown."
Click here to watch a slideshow of the McKinney ISD 2009 Teacher of the Year Banquet. http://www.mckinneyisd.net/departments/communications/TOY/index.html
Several other graduates from ACU's Teacher Education Department have been named teachers of the year at their school districts.
Jessica Cope ('08) is La Porte Independent School District’s 2009 Rookie Teacher of the Year.
Cope is a kindergarten teacher at College Park Elementary School.
"Jessica is truly a teacher of the finest caliber," wrote her principal, Deborah Shearer, in a nomination letter. "She will impact many children in her life in a positive manner. Her expectations are high and her dedication to all children's success is her No. 1 priority."
Co-teacher Melissa Pavlowich also praised Cope in a nomination letter. "She came to College Park this year with such a positive attitude and a welcoming smile. She was not afraid to ask for advice or help from her team members and she was open to any suggestions that were given. Being a teacher of 12 years, I have seen a lot of first-year teachers 'crumble' under the pressure. Ms. Cope was an exception to everything and anything that I had seen before."
Michelle Coronel Faerber ('04), third-grade teacher at Converse Elementary School, was Distinguished Educator of the Year for her Judson ISD campus. This is her third year of teaching. During her first year of teaching she received the Distinguished Educator First Year Teacher of the Year award from her district.
"ACU's department of education is amazing," she says. "As I continue to collaborate with my peers and colleagues, I continue to discover how much more prepared I was and how much more opportunity I got through ACU's education department. I continue to praise the Lord for the faculty/staff at ACU. ACU truly molds teachers in the way of the Lord, and without your selfless teaching and mentoring, I can honestly say I would not be the teacher I am today."
Anthony M. Spear ('05), seventh-grade Texas history teacher and football/track coach at Carpenter Middle School in Plano ISD, won his school's Experienced Teacher of the Year award in his first year of eligibility. "A lot of the credit goes to ACU's education department," he said.
