Pictured from left are Jordan Rucker , Secondary Teacher of the Year , Superintendent Dr . Kimberley Cantu and Kristen Hendrix , Elementary Teacher of the Year . Rucker and Hendrix were awarded at the annual MISD Employee Recognition Banquet on Monday , May 15 .
MISD CELEBRATES TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Two amazing educators who are respected by their peers and loved by their students were named Mansfield ISD ’ s 2023 Teachers of the Year . The teachers were chosen for their excellence in teaching and positive impact in the lives of their students and coworkers .
Every year , campuses names their own Teacher of the Year . Those winners move on to the district level competition , where an Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year are chosen .
Kristen Hendrix , the librarian at Annette Perry Elementary School , was selected Elementary Teacher of the Year . Jordan Rucker , an English Language Arts and Reading teacher at Charlene McKinzey Middle School , was named Secondary Teacher of the Year . Hendrix and Rucker will move on to the regional level competition .
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kristen Hendrix takes pride in making sure her campus ’ library includes books that are diverse and represent the children who attend the school . She has spent her entire 18- year education career in Mansfield ISD .
Kristen cherishes the lifelong bonds that she has created with students and families . She ’ s attended the wedding of a former student , and she keeps in touch with another who returned to MISD to teach . She attends games , plays , birthdays , weddings and graduations of her former students , and she loves watching them grow up . Kristen holds a bachelor ’ s degree in education from Texas Wesleyan University . She also holds a master ’ s degree in library science from the University of North Texas .
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jordan Rucker believes that all students have the innate ability to learn , and sometimes it takes a special teacher to build relationships and break down points of confusion . Jordan , who became a teacher to be a positive role model in the lives of scholars , enjoys learning more about who his students are through their writing .
“ He goes above and beyond in everything he does . He loves being around the kids and advocating for kids and so having that type of personality on a campus just helps bring positivity to what we do every day ,” said principal Kathryn Humer .
“ She ’ s a problem solver . She is an innovative teacher who loves bringing new things into our campus and I love that ,” said principal Willie Wimbrey . “ She is an awesome teacher , librarian , coworker and employee to have on our campus .”
This is Jordan ’ s fifteenth year in education , having spent four years in Mansfield ISD . He holds a bachelor ’ s degree in elementary education from Oakland University and a master ’ s degree in educational leadership with a principal EC-12 certificate from Northern Arizona University .
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