MANSFIELD ISD NAMES 2022 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Two passionate educators who are revered by their peers have been named Mansfield ISD ’ s 2022 teachers of the year . The teachers were chosen based on their excellence in teaching and positive impact in the lives of their students and staff members .
Rebecca Anderson , a kindergarten teacher at D . P . Morris Elementary School , was selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year . Bradley Wachsmann , a special education teacher at Linda Jobe Middle School , was named the Secondary Teacher of the Year .
ELEMENTARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Rebecca Anderson is currently in her fifth year of teaching her English as a Second Language ( ESL ) kindergarten class . She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University in elementary education , but she says she perfected her skills relating to children during her 18 years as a stay-at-home mother of seven children .
Those who work with her said she is creative , helpful and a lot of fun to be around .
“ She encompasses everything that you would want a teacher at D . P . Morris Elementary School to represent ,” said principal Tara Sublette . “ She ’ s so caring and giving . She ’ s a loving person . She ’ s a loving mother , a loving teacher , and people just love being around her .”
Anderson is known for her baking skills and often brings homemade bread and cookies
to share . She also sews costumes for the D . P . Morris third and fourth graders who perform in Summit High School ’ s annual musical . It is a labor of love that she said is worth it when she sees the students take pride in wearing them .
Anderson ( left ) and Wachsmann ( right ) pose with Superintendent Dr . Kimberley Cantu at the MISD Employee Banquet , which was themed “ A Night at the Oscars .”
SECONDARY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Bradley Wachsmann teaches functional academic life skills ( FALS ) in the special education program at Linda Jobe Middle School .
His coworkers noted that he looks for opportunities for his students , many of whom struggle to communicate or have profound physical and mental impairments , to interact with their peers through his campus ’ agriculture program and during lunch time .
“ He ’ s calm , steady and kind ,” said principal Joseph Harmonson . “ Wherever he is , he ’ s very present . With the students , he helps them meet the various needs they have . He gets what needs to be done , and we love him .”
Wachsmann holds a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Angelo State University and obtained his certification in special education . He strongly believes if you develop high expectations and make learning relevant to students ’ lives , they will show outstanding success .
Every year , staff members at each of MISD ’ s campuses nominate the teacher they feel has done a stellar job at displaying excellence in education . Two of those campus winners are then selected by a committee to become the elementary and secondary district teachers of the year .
Anderson and Wachsmann were surprised with the title at the MISD 2022 Employee Awards Banquet , which was held on May 12 .
They will go on to compete in the Education Service Center Region XI Teacher of Year competition . Winners of the regional contest go on to compete for Texas Teacher of the Year , which is a culmination of the winners from the 20 Education Service Center regions in Texas to see who the two final winners ( elementary and secondary ) will be .
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