TRIO NAMED HEARTBEAT AWARD WINNERS
Three Mansfield ISD employees , nominated by their coworkers , received the 2022-23 Heartbeat Award for displaying heart in their lives and inspiring other district employees through their actions . This year ’ s honorees are Charles Martin from Lake Ridge High School , Pamela Pinkerton from Legacy High School and Nicole Rucker from Curriculum and Instruction .
Charles Martin
Charles Martin is a native of Lubbock and a Texas Tech University graduate . While pursuing his bachelor ’ s degree in zoology and chemistry , he worked alongside his wife at a wildlife rehabilitation center helping injured and orphaned animals . The animals that were unable to be released often became wildlife ambassadors they took to local schools for educational programs .
These programs inspired Martin to move to the Metroplex and become a Dallas Zoo animal keeper , trainer and a teacher .
After 17 years of teaching in Grand Prairie , Martin transitioned to MISD . For three years , he has taught biology at Lake Ridge High School .
“ I ’ ve been surrounded by the most amazing administration , co-workers and students that I could ever ask for ,” Martin said .
Pamela Pinkerton
As a librarian , Pamela Pinkerton is fulfilling her true calling to teach students to research and become lifelong learners .
Pinkerton has been an educator for 27 years , beginning her career as a high school social studies teacher . She ’ s spent the last 21 years in her dream job .
In 2007 , Pinkerton joined Mansfield ISD to open Legacy High School and has been there for 16 years .
As an expert in her field , Pinkerton often presents at the Texas Computer Educators Association and Texas Library Association conferences . When she ’ s not working , Pinkerton enjoys time with her husband , as well as going on road trips and cruises .
Nicole Rucker
Nicole Rucker has dreamed of being a teacher since elementary school . She fulfilled her dream and began teaching in Phoenix , Arizona , with her husband for 10 years . In 2018 , Rucker and her family moved to Mansfield , and she began teaching at Wester Middle School .
This year , Nicole serves several campuses across the district as a member of the Behavior Intervention Team . In her role , she supports students , empowers teachers , collaborates with administrators and partners with parents .
Heartbeat Award winners were honored at the 2023 MISD Employee Awards Banquet .
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Pictured from top are Charles Martin , Pamela Pinkerton , and Nicole Rucker . The staff members were named Heartbeat Award winners during the annual MISD Employee Awards Banquet on Monday , May 15 .