18 May 2007
Early Childhood Educator Has Served the District 16 Years
DALLAS–Candace E. Wicks was named 2007-2008 Dallas Independent School District Teacher of the Year during a banquet sponsored by Central Market H-E-B Thursday, May 17, at the Old Red Courthouse in downtown Dallas.
Superintendent Michael Hinojosa presented Wicks with an engraved award and Stephen Butt, Senior Vice President, Central Market Division, H-E-B, presented her a cash award for $5,000.
Wicks, a kindergarten teacher at Erasmo Seguin Community Learning Center, has served at that school for the past 13 years, and has a total of 16 years in Dallas ISD. In 1999, she obtained a master's degree in Education from Texas Woman's University, and is currently working toward a doctorate at the same university.
Erasmo Seguin Community Learning Center's principal, Yolanda Thompson, describes Wicks as a person who "demonstrates total dedication to the students and their families as they strive for educational excellence." "She goes that extra mile in implementing any program, performance or lesson she undertakes. Her contributions have tremendously enhanced the educational process at this school and in the community," said Thompson.
Wicks says her number one goal as a teacher is to make a difference in the lives of her students.
"Every day that I teach my students is a new opportunity to impart knowledge that will have a lasting effect on the lives of children," said Wicks. "An essential element for a young child to be successful in the classroom is an environment that is supportive and literacy rich."
Technology and music play an important role in Wicks' approach to teaching. She believes these tools help develop students' basic skills and promote higher order thinking skills.
A committee of judges selected the finalists and winner based on interviews and essay packets that described their teaching philosophy, professional background and interaction with students, parents and members of the community.
In addition to Wicks' cash award of $5,000, Central Market H-E-B, the event's sponsor, presented $1,000 awards to the three finalists. Wicks will represent the district in the regional competition along with the secondary runner-up David Lewis of the Magnet Center for Public Service: Government, Law and Law Enforcement at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. The remaining finalists for the award were Osley Cook Jr., Oliver Wendell Holmes Humanities/Communications Academy and Ruth Kaiser, Obadiah Knight Elementary School.