SUSAN WILSON - Tex TESOL IV Higher Education Teacher of 2008-2009

Here's what her nominee had to say:

Susan Wilson is well past her retirement age and continues to dedicate her time to teaching English to students at University of Houston.  She gives 100+ percent to the students by tutoring them during her lunch time and seeing them after class time  as well. Wilson never fails to amaze me with all her great innovative ideas of how to motivate students to speak, read, and write English.  For example, in the first week of the semester while most of us are busy with syllabi, Wilson is busy taking her students on a field trip to the museum or art gallery which becomes a vehicle for all sorts of activities later on in the semester.

She is energetic, enthusiastic, very caring, and humble.  She goes the extra mile for all who need her.  Her magnetic energy is very contagious, and she lights up the classroom and staff room with her smiles and hugs.  As an adjunct, there are many activities which she is not required to participate in such as in-service, curriculum meetings, and activity meetings.  However, Wilson attends all meetings and actively participates by giving us all her wonderful ideas and 35+ years of teaching experience.  During the culture festival, she is first on the scene arranging tables with labels and centerpieces, which she made.  During the festival, she dances and sings with the students, and at the end, she is still there clearing and cleaning up.

MEG GLENN - Tex TESOL IV High School Teacher of 2008-2009

Here's what her nominee had to say:

It is easy to teach students who want to be in school and whose parents support the teacher, but what if the students are sent to an alternative educational situation flirting with the juvenile justice system with little to no family support?  Mary "Meg" Glenn welcomes this challenge and goes beyond expectations to ensure that her students are successful.  Glenn stays in constant contact with each student's home campus to foster a seamless transition between the home campus to the alternative campus and back to the home campus with no loss of credit.

Professional learning is essential for Glenn.  She takes advantage of every staff development opportunity and conference such as Tex TESOL IV to enhance her service to her students.  It is not good enough for her just to attend staff development, Glenn returns to her campus to train her fellow content teachers.  She offers weekly "Chat and Chew" sessions during which she covers what she has recently learned.  Her campus, Opportunity Awareness Center in Katy ISD, recognized her dedication to her students by naming her Teacher of the Year for 2008.  Glenn exhibits the highest qualities of a TESOL teacher.

ROSIE SILLER - Tex TESOL IV Adult Education Teacher of 2008-2009

Here's what her nominees had to say:

 We have known Rosie Siller as a teacher for many years.  She is a very hard worker through thunder and lightening.  Whether she is sick or not, she has never missed a class and never been tardy.  Siller is really devoted to her profession.  She does not care how much time she spends with her students after class just to make sure that they are learning, often denying her family of her presence while she helps others.  If a student misses something in class or does not understand, Siller stays with that student(s) until they have grasped the full significance of the lesson.  When students are absent, she drives to their home sjust to find out why they did not show up.  She is a very compassionate person, and the students follow her wherever she goes.

On one occasion, one of her students died in an auto accident. Siller went to visit the family who were very poor and humble.  She wrote a personal check to help the family pay for the funeral.  In the same way, she has helped members of the staff and fellow workers.  In another class, she teaches El Civics.  When the students arrive feeling insecure and nervous about passing the test, she instills confidence by helping them complete the papers correctly.  She drives students to immigration for their citizenship interview the day before the test showing them where to park and where to enter.  Her efficiency derives from the many years of experience in her field, and she motivates all students to learn English by teaching to all learning styles.  Her lessons are fast paced, well planned, and interesting.  She brings the real world into the classroom and teaches students skills that apply to their daily lives. The most unique quality of Siller is her caring and loving nature which makes everyone who enters her classroom feel special and wanted.  You leave her classroom with a smile on her face.