Dallas ISD Names 2007-2008 Teacher Of The Year Finalists

2 Apr 2007

Teacher of the Year Ice Cream Social Set for April 10

DALLAS—The Dallas Independent School District has named four finalists for 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year.

The four finalists and eight semifinalists will be honored, along with the teachers of the year from all 225 campuses, at the district's annual Teacher of the Year Ice Cream Social, 2 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, 6911 Lemmon Ave. Central Market H.E.B. and the Frontiers of Flight Museum are partnering to provide support for the event.

A committee of judges selected the semifinalists and finalists based on a number of criteria including the ability to inspire a drive for excellence in a diverse student population; commitment to professional development and contributions to the teaching profession; awareness of current issues in education; level of community involvement; and quality of interactions with parents and peers.

The finalists are:

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• Osley Cook Jr., Oliver Wendell Holmes Middle School Humanities/Communications Academy (6-8). Cook, who teaches band for grades 6-8, has a total of 12 years teaching experience, four at Holmes.
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• Ruth Kaiser, Obadiah Knight Elementary School (K-5). Kaiser teaches physical education and has a total of 40 years of teaching experience, four at Knight.
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• David Lewis, Magnet Center for Public Service: Government, Law, and Law Enforcement at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center (9-12). Lewis teaches law. He has a total of 19 years of teaching experience, all at the Law Magnet.
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• Candace E. Wicks, Erasmo Seguin Community Learning Center PK-3). Wicks teaches Kindergarten and has 16 years of teaching experience. She is in her ninth year at Seguin.
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The finalists' combined teaching experience totals more than 87 years.

The semifinalists are:

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• Shelia Bower, Jack Lowe Sr. Elementary School
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• Nicole E. Carnot, T.J. Rusk Middle School
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• Sheilda T. Edwards, H.S. Thompson Learning Center
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• Peter Goldstein, Skyline High School
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• Kevin Grimes, George Bannerman Dealey Academy
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• Jimmy Jones, Justin F. Kimball High School
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• Nathaniel W. Mosi Singleton, William B. Miller Elementary School
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• Keith W. Turner, Jerry R. Junkins Elementary School
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The Dallas Independent School District's 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year will be announced at a banquet on Thursday, May 17. The winner will receive $5,000 and will represent the district in the regional competition.

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