MANSFIELD ISD CELEBRATES ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
At the end of each school year, the district comes together to celebrate excellence at its annual Employee Awards Banquet. This special event honors the Teachers of the Year, Shining Star and Heartbeat award recipients, and retirees.
Each campus selects one outstanding educator to be named its Campus Teacher of the Year. From these nominees, a committee reviews applications at the start of the new calendar year. Ultimately, two educators are chosen as District Teachers of the Year— one representing elementary and the other secondary education.
These honored teachers are leaders who go above and beyond the classroom, making a meaningful impact on both students and colleagues.
This year, the district celebrated Kim Griffiths as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Gerald Hodges II as Secondary Teacher of the Year. In recognition of their achievements, EECU presented each of them with a $ 250 check. Congratulations to both for their exceptional dedication and well-deserved recognition. These two outstanding educators will now go on to compete at the regional level.
KIM GRIFFITHS J. L. Boren Elementary Elementary Teacher of the Year
GERALD HODGES II Summit High School Secondary Teacher of the Year
Kim Griffiths is a dedicated and compassionate educator currently in her second year as the FALS( Functional Academic Life Skills) teacher at JL Boren Elementary, where she supports and inspires students from kindergarten through fourth grade. With a career in education that began in 1995, Kim has served in a variety of roles, including PPCD, resource, 4th grade, and alternative curriculum, bringing a depth of experience and heart to everything she does.
Gerald Hodges is an inspiring algebra I teacher at Mansfield Summit High School, where he teaches 9th grade with purpose, passion, and a belief in the power of every student. As a Capturing Kids’ Hearts champion and Class of 2027 sponsor, Gerald is a trusted mentor and positive force on campus. He’ s currently co-writing a children’ s book that shares his personal journey from not knowing how to swim to becoming a state championship swimmer— an experience that shaped his educational philosophy.
From 1996 to 2003, Kim also served as a Special Olympics coach and unified athlete, a reflection of her lifelong commitment to inclusion and empowerment. She believes that education goes far beyond academic content— it’ s about equipping students with the tools to advocate for themselves and become confident, contributing citizens. For Kim, Mansfield ISD isn’ t just where she works— it’ s a community where learning, living, and leading go hand in hand.
Gerald believes that all students can learn, though not all in the same way. His mission goes beyond teaching math; he strives to help students understand how they learn and how to confidently navigate school and life. For him, when belief is paired with effort and preparation, there are no limits to what students can achieve.
4 MANSFIELDTODAY