16 May 2011
Marx has been an educator for nine years
DALLAS–Dallas Independent School District named Karen Marx its 2011–2012 Teacher of the Year. Marx, who has been an educator for nine years, is a Geometry teacher at North Dallas High School.
Stephen Butt, senior vice president, Central Market Division, H-E-B, presented Marx with a cash award for $5,000. An engraved award was also presented to her by Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa.
Marx's campus effectiveness index ranks among the highest in the district, according to her principal, Dinnah Escanilla. "Marx has led her team to have double digit gains in Geometry - TAKS scores in 10th grade,' said Escanilla. "Marx is a great example of leadership potential, strong teaching skills, and love for teaching and learning."
After dropping out of college during her freshman year and struggling to find an inspiring and fulfilling career, Marx returned to college to obtain a college degree and make a better life for her and her small child, as she was a single mother. Marx finished her college degree in 2002 from the University of Texas at Arlington, obtaining a B. A. in Kinesiology with a minor in Mathematics. Marx started her career as an educator in 2002 after finishing college, teaching 9th grade Algebra I in Duncanville ISD. She joined Dallas ISD in 2004 as an Algebra teacher. She later became an Instructional Mathematics Coach, but her love for students made her return to the classroom in 2008. She is currently pursuing a M. S. in Applied Cognition and Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Marx says she became a teacher to open opportunities to others. "Many of my students have no one in their lives who helps them envision a better life. I became a teacher to open opportunities for them," said Marx. "I owe future generations the kind of support and opportunities that I received."
Marx challenges her students to try new things and expressing themselves in new ways. "I found the use of movement to be an effective teaching tool," said Marx. "I structure activities to get students out of their seats and engaged. Algebra Aerobics, Rotation Reviews, Four-corner Answers, Resident Experts, and Scavenger Hunts have helped me show my students the fun side of math."
"Another aspect I try to develop in my classroom is an emphasis on teamwork," said Marx. "I encourage my students to take care for and nurture each other."
Marx believes that "students must be challenged beyond the acquiring of facts and skills into ways of using those facts and skills to open new areas of discovery." "We must find a way to harness their creativity, inquisitiveness, and love for technology to properly arm them for the future," said Marx.
"To the public I would say our public schools are a reflection of our cultural values," said Marx. "We must all be part of the process of education and raising our youth. We know that there is much work to be done. Each of us must find a way to be part of the greatest job of each generation — the raising of the next generation."
As the event's sponsor, Central Market H-E-B, also presented the Teacher of the Year finalists with a $1,000 cash award. Those finalists are:
PreK-2 – Chris Nichols, Anne Frank Elementary
3-6 – Deanne Paiva, William L. Cabell Elementary
6-8– Nneka McGee, Dallas Environmental Science Academy