10 Nov 2005
Each of the Seven Finalists Represents One Area of DISD
DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District has named seven finalists in the first Teacher Assistant of the Year awards program, which honors outstanding instructional support staff in the district.
Each finalist represents one of the six DISD areas and alternative schools.
A committee of judges, composed of representatives from Teen Board, Inside Track, the Dallas Council of PTAs, teachers, administrators and employee organizations selected the finalists based on submitted essays and recommendations that described their teaching philosophy, professional background and highlights of their interaction with students, parents and members of the community.
"The work of teacher assistants is very valuable in the classrooms," said Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "Students benefit when they receive more personalized attention and support. We honor the dedication teacher assistants show and recognize they are an asset and important in the district's classrooms."
The finalists are:
Area 1:
Barbara J. Gant, Frederick Douglass Elementary School. Gant has 19 years of experience in the education field and 12 years in DISD as teacher assistant.
Area 2:
Diane Harris, Albert Sidney Johnston Elementary School. A graduate of DISD, Harris has been working in the district for the past 11 years as teacher assistant.
Area 3:
Irene Garcia, Walnut Hill Elementary School. Garcia has been a bilingual teacher assistant for 10 years and has a total of 16 years of experience in the education field. She is also a DISD graduate.
Area 4:
Maria del Carmen Arellano, Jill Stone Elementary School at Vickery Meadow. Arellano has served as bilingual teacher assistant for seven years.
Area 5:
Donna Broadnax, Barbara Jordan Elementary School. With a total of 26 years of employment in the DISD, Broadnax has been a teacher assistant for the past 16 years.
Area 6:
Felipe Cruz, James S. Hogg Elementary School, has served as a bilingual Teacher Assistant for the past two-and-a-half years.
Alternative schools:
Alice Hawkins, Elementary AEP South. She has seven years of experience as Teacher Assistant, all in AEP South School.
American Education Week, which is observed from Nov. 13 thru Nov. 19, provides a day to celebrate teacher assistants and other education support employees for their dedication.
The Teacher Assistant of the Year will be announced during a reception Thursday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m., at the School Administration Building, 3700 Ross Ave., in room 105.