On Assignment w/ CT

I LOVE  TEACHERS.  Always have...always will. For 17 years the Rotary Club of Dallas salutes DISD teachers with the "Service Above Self" award.  Teachers who go the extra mile are asked to submit an application detailing their classroom & community involvement. A panel of judges has a tough job coming up with 9 finalists in the catagories of elementary, middle school and high school.  The winner in each catagory gets a $2,500 check and a plaque. The 6 finalists each get a $500.00 check & a plaque.  

The Rotary Club of Dallas again asked me to be the M.C. for the awards portion of the program & I've gotta tell you that it's truly an honor.  The event's at the Fairmont Hotel; it's always a lovely lunch.  Each finalist brings their school principal & family members.

DISD Superintendent, Dr. Michael Hinojosa congratulated all of the teachers & invited  parents & the business community to get involved with Dallas public schools.

The Elementary School finalists are: Cecilia Jan Alexander, Art Teacher at Withers Elementary; Julie Blasingame, Art Teacher at Gonzalez Elementary; and Judy Cole, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher at Kiest Elementary.  Ms. Blasingame is the winner. She worked with  the Texas Dept. of Transportation to get a 4-mile cable barier installed along LBJ Freeway in Mesquite to prevent highway cross-over accidents. Her daughter was killed in that kind of accident in 2003. She's also raised more than $75,000 in scholarships for students to attend Abilene Christian University. The money comes from  a golf tournament held in her daughter's memory.

The Middle School finalists are: 7th & 8th grade Computer teacher and Newspaper Sponsor Janice Hemen of Rusk Middle School; 8th Grade Math Teacher Tim Hise at Greiner Middle School and Dawn McCullar, teacher for the Talented and Gifted grades 6-8 at Gaston Middle School. The winner is Mr. Hise. He tutors at-risk students before and after school nearly everyday; he writes articles promoting the positive aspects of his school and he builds trust, respect and a love for learning by attending students' sporting events, performances and confirmations.

The High School finalists are: Social Studies teacher for 11th-12th grades, Cathleen Cadigan at Thomas Jefferson, Mary White, Science teacher grades 9-12 at W.T. White and English IV AP English Lit. and Composition Teacher for grade 12 at Skyline; Margie Robinson.  The winner is Ms. Cadigan.  She created an on-campus group called FOCUS...For Our Children's Ultimate Success. The organization builds student self-worth and positive student-teacher relationships while increasing parental involvement. The goal is to improve the campus climate, reduce the drop-out rate and improve test scores. Of the juniors and seniors she teachers 100% take the S.A.T. and 100% of the seniors apply to a minimum of  3 colleges, universities or vocational schools.

There's so much to be proud of in our schools. I hope the last two weeks of school are great for all teachers & students. Finish Strong!    

I'm the daughter of a public school teacher. My Mom ended her 37 year teaching career teaching 5th graders. Her former students are now parents & they bring their children by my Mom's house to spend time with their beloved former teacher & friend.  Teachers Truly Touch The Future.