Arlington ISD teachers took center stage yesterday as the Kiwanis Club of Arlington celebrated its 65th annual Teacher of the Year event, recognizing the district’s top educators and nominees from every campus.
The annual celebration – complete with a barbecue lunch from David’s Barbecue – brought together teachers, principals, and community members to honor the impact educators make every day.
“This celebration is the highlight of our Kiwanis Club,” said Kiwanis Club president Larry James. “It’s the most important community project that we do to honor teachers for all the work they do in our community.”
Following his welcome, James invited campus principals to introduce this year’s three Teachers of the Year:
- High School Teacher of the Year: Dr. Rebecca Clesse, English teacher at Arlington Collegiate High School
- Junior High Teacher of the Year: Heaven Tello, math teacher at Barnett Junior High
- Elementary Teacher of the Year: Pamela Lewis, fourth-grade teacher at Morton Elementary
Each of the three honorees received a $500 award from the Kiwanis Club of Arlington along with an additional $500 from EECU.
The celebration didn’t stop there. Nine additional outstanding educators were surprised with special recognition and $500 awards:
Lisa Richburg, Wood Elementary- Johanna Baker, Little Elementary
- Falon Hanson, Butler Elementary
- Joshua Lewis, Duff Elementary
- Roanda Velasquez, Jones Academy of Fine Arts and Dual Language
- Eddie Oliver, Workman Junior High
- Josephine Chaney, Rodriguez Junior High
- Erica Capella, Arlington High School
- Teresa Menard, Seguin High School
Lisa Richburg, Wood ElementaryThe Kiwanis Club’s long-standing tradition of honoring Arlington ISD educators dates back to 1962, when then Arlington ISD Assistant Superintendent Woodrow Counts served as club president. Counts later became Arlington ISD superintendent from 1979 to 1985, and the award now bears his name – the Kiwanis Woodrow Counts Teacher of the Year Award.