Mayde Creek Elementary teacher of the year Demi Andrews (left) and Clinical Assistant Professor Carrie Cutler celebrated Andrews graduating with her master鈥檚 in December 2017.
The Facebook notifications kept coming this semester. Carrie Cutler, a clinical assistant professor at the 91破解版 College of Education, received nearly the same message from three former students: Each had just won Teacher of the Year awards at their school.
鈥淚'm so proud of their hard work!鈥� Cutler said, sharing the good news via email.
The winners include Demi Andrews, Rookie Teacher of the Year from Mayde Creek Elementary in the Katy Independent School District; Brittany Johnson, from Bonham Elementary in Houston ISD; and Pamela Lopez, ESL Teacher of the Year from Tice Elementary in Galena Park ISD.
The recent College of Education graduates join at least three other alumni who won Teacher of the Year awards at their schools in 2017, part of a strong network of -prepared teachers in the Houston region.
Cutler, a professor in the elementary math program, said the yearlong internship required of teaching majors has a significant impact on their success once they鈥檙e on their own in the classroom. 鈥淚 think our rigorous student-teaching program helps prepare (students) for how hard the job really is,鈥� she said.
In addition, Cutler said, she teaches her students to understand that failure can be a learning opportunity.
Tice Elementary teacher of the year Pamela Lopez (second from the left) said Clinical Assistant Professor Carrie Cutler's positive attitude inspired her as a teacher.
鈥淭eachers who are outstanding are teachers who are willing to try new things and aren鈥檛 fearful about their own failures but see failure as a chance to grow their brain and get better,鈥� Cutler said.
The College of Education has revamped its teacher-preparation program in recent years to ensure a better learning experience for the students. For example, specially trained site coordinators now hold class on site in the schools, provide more consistent coaching to the students and meet regularly with school staff to ensure a strong, beneficial relationship.
鈥淚t鈥檚 incredibly rewarding to see the results of these changes and to celebrate with our students when they鈥檙e recognized by their districts,鈥� said Amber Thompson, the College鈥檚 associate chair over teacher preparation. 鈥淲hen we say every child deserves a classroom-ready teacher on day one, we mean it.鈥�
Lopez, named teacher of the year for two consecutive years at Tice Elementary, said teaching in her own classroom is the fulfillment of a longtime dream and years of hard work. Lopez first knew she wanted to be a teacher in high school, when she was part of the Ready, Set, Teach program, which gave her the opportunity to volunteer as a teacher鈥檚 assistant in a kindergarten class at Tice.
After graduating from in December 2015, Lopez returned to Tice to work as a third-grade teacher. A string of passionate, dedicated teachers from primary school through the College of Education inspired Lopez to not only become a teacher, but to teach with joy and devotion.
鈥淒r. Cutler is a big inspiration because she鈥檚 so excited about what she does,鈥� Lopez said. 鈥淏eing her student, you can just see it. She doesn鈥檛 focus on the bad things, she鈥檚 always so happy and excited, and it鈥檚 contagious.鈥�
Unlike Lopez, Andrews didn鈥檛 always know she wanted to be a teacher. She started college studying hotel and restaurant management. After serving as her sorority鈥檚 education chair and getting a glimpse of what it might be like to teach, however, Andrews switched to education and didn鈥檛 look back.
Andrews now teaches first grade.
鈥淭he kids are at such a great age when they are growing so much on their own. It鈥檚 crazy to see how far they come in one year,鈥� Andrews said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e at the age where they are starting to develop their personality, and it鈥檚 so special to be part of that.鈥�
Also committed to continuous growth, Andrews earned her master鈥檚 degree in administration and supervision from the College of Education in December.
Johnson was unavailable for comment.
鈥揃y Claire Andersen
鈥揚hotos courtesy of Carrie Cutler and Pamela Lopez