19 May 2005
Winner Received $5,000 Award; Will Represent District at Regional Competition
DALLAS–Elizabeth Garrett Bravo was named 2005-2006 Dallas Independent School District Teacher of the Year at an awards dinner held Thursday, May 19.
Garrett Bravo, a fine arts teacher at George Bannerman Dealey Montessori Vanguard and Academy, has 24 years of experience in education, 11 of them in her current position. After earning a bachelor of fine arts degree at New Mexico State University, she began teaching piano in DISD in 1981 and drama in 1994.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Central Market Division H-E-B Senior Vice President Stephen Butt presented Garrett Bravo with a gift and a check for $5,000. Committed to rewarding Dallas teachers for excellence in the classroom, Central Market H-E-B has sponsored the event for four years.
Hinojosa advocated surrounding teachers with respect and tangible symbols of appreciation to thank them for their dedication to providing quality instruction. "I salute corporate partners such as Central Market for stepping up to the plate to show teachers that they have the backing and support of the business community," Hinojosa said.
Garrett Bravo and a runner-up will move to the next round of competition conducted by Region 10 Education Service Center, which sends two winners (one secondary and one elementary) to the Texas Teacher of the Year program.
As a teacher of fourth through eighth grade students, Garrett Bravo says "school must be about the business of being alive, not just 'making a living.'" She identifies one of her strengths as a passion for seeing that others discover their own strengths and begin to take charge of their learning.
A believer in task-specific assignments for her students, she has directed many school productions working in collaboration with businesses, parents and the community. Garrett Bravo was the primary author of George Bannerman Dealey Montessori's successful application for the 2001 Blue Ribbon School status with the U.S. Department of Education. More recently, she led a team of teachers researching the possibility of steering the middle school campus toward an international studies curriculum and focus, which resulted in the school's designation as one of the few international studies campuses in the nation.
Principal Janie Vega praises Elizabeth Garrett Bravo's innovative approaches to meet student needs. "She utilizes cross grade-level curricular projects, in-house volunteering and peer tutoring while encouraging appreciation for all cultures," Vega said. "She is a beacon of light and truth for all."
The DISD Teacher of the Year is chosen based on essays and personal interviews. The selection panel is comprised of community representatives, past or current administrators, college-level educators, a PTA representative, a student and the previous year's teacher of the year.
Finalists for this year's award were:
• Jennifer Bramhall, Ascher Silberstein Elementary School
•Phyllis R. Golden, Ronald E. McNair Elementary School
• Shannon M. Pugh, W.T. White High School.
Each of the three finalists also received $1,000 courtesy of Central Market H-E-B.