25 May 2010
Walters-Bufford is a Teacher Assistant at Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard
DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District has named Latoya Walters-Bufford as the 2010–2011 Teacher Assistant of the Year.
Walters-Bufford has served the Dallas ISD for two years, including her recent assignment at Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard where she has worked for the past year.
Walters-Bufford has developed her own incentive programs with the goal of guiding students she mentors toward making better decisions, socially and academically. She also volunteers to work with students after school and to have lunch with students who receive lunch detention.
"When I sit with those students I encourage them to reflect on positive behaviors," said Walters-Bufford. "They open up to me because I have formed a personal relationship based on warmth, caring, and understanding. As a successful educator, I am objective, empathic, and I am determined to help students excel in the classroom and beyond."
Walters-Bufford lends a helping hand to others by volunteering with several organizations. Every Thanksgiving, Walters-Bufford and her family volunteer to serve food to the homeless at the Salvation Army. She also volunteered in Haiti teaching disadvantaged children and has donated her time to other community organizations and programs.
Walters-Bufford likes to show students that someone is there to support them at all times, even with their extra-curricular activities. She also works closely with students who need extra time to complete projects.
"I love my school and I know that my presence in the classroom is making a difference," said Walters-Bufford. "An educator must be able to motivate children to see beyond their comfort zone. Teaching is an opportunity to guide, provide and show students how to strive."
Walters-Bufford is currently attending the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue a Masters of Social Work. She has accomplished bachelor's degrees in sociology and criminal justice from the University of North Texas. Walters-Bufford had five years of experience in education before serving in the Dallas ISD. She formerly worked for Denton Christian Pre-School as a School Assistant and also as an Extended School Day Supervisor for the Denton Independent School District.
"Without doubt, our Teacher Assistant of the Year is a great example of the type of teacher assistants that students need to be successful," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "I congratulate Latoya Walters-Bufford for her accomplishment and appreciate her hard work and dedication."
Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa presented Walters-Bufford with an engraved award and Stephen Butt, senior vice president, Central Market Division, H-E-B, presented her with a cash award of $1,500.
In addition to Walters-Bufford's cash award of $1,500, Central Market H-E-B, the event's sponsor, presented $250 cash awards to each of the four Teacher Assistant of the Year finalists:
"The Dallas Independent School District and the students it serves have made substantial strides over the last several years. Its academic gains have been some of the most impressive in the country, and the district is now viewed as one of the nation's fastest improving urban school systems."