9 May 2006
Winner Received $5,000 Award; Will Represent District at Regional Competition
DALLAS–Paula Paulos was named 2006-2007 Dallas Independent School District Teacher of the Year at an awards dinner held Monday, May 8, at the Nasher Sculpture Center sponsored by Central Market.
Paulos, a kindergarten teacher at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School, has 24 years of experience in education, three of them in her current position. She holds a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Illinois University, a Master of Science in Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce and post-graduate certifications in reading and English as a second language.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and Central Market Senior Vice President Stephen Butt presented Paulos with a gift and a check for $5,000. Committed to rewarding Dallas teachers for excellence in the classroom, Central Market has sponsored the event for five years.
"Ms. Paulos symbolizes the skills, talent and dedication shown by all of the district's 10,484 teachers," said Dr. Hinojosa. "We are proud of her and all of our teachers for making a difference in the lives of students."
The names of Paulos and Secondary level runner-up, David Benn, will be sent to the Region 10 Education Service Center, which selects two teachers from North Texas (one secondary and one elementary) to the Texas Teacher of the Year program.
As a kindergarten teacher Paulos says she strives to help young students build strong reading comprehension skills. "Instruction must focus on what good readers do as they read. I firmly believe comprehension instruction is the difference between producing effective readers and merely decoders, or word callers. When I hear my young readers problem-solving, monitoring and self-correcting, while reading for meaning, I know all is well!"
Asked how she inspires a love of learning in her students, Paulos says, "First of all, I model a love of teaching and learning myself in an environment full of joy. My students know that in addition to teaching them, I also teach teachers outside of school hours. I believe this sends a message that a love of learning lasts a lifetime.
Secondly, I strive to create a safe, risk-free learning community validating that everyone brings something valuable to contribute, and that we are all there to support and celebrate each other's accomplishments."
Principal Olivia Henderson says Paulos represents the ideal teacher. "She has that rare combination of talent, ability, commitment, dedication, a love of children, and a strong desire to be of service to our community."
The DISD Teacher of the Year is chosen based on essays and personal interviews. The selection panel is comprised of teachers, community representatives, district administrators, representatives of higher education, PTA representatives, a student and the previous year's teacher of the year.
Finalists for this year's award were:
• Cynthia Anzaldua, Otto M. Fridia Jr. Alternative School
• David Benn, W. E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy
• Jamie Davis, Lenore Kirk Hall Elementary School
Each of the three finalists also received $1,000 courtesy of Central Market.