Sherman ISD Building Bearcats Magazine October 2016 Inaugural Issue | Page 16

The Language of Excellence
Luz Roth, 4th grade bilingual teacher at Washington Elementary, has
been recognized as one of the best bilingual teachers in Texas and
named the 2016 Bilingual Education Teacher of the Year.
“I was very humbled when I found out I
was a finalist,” Roth said. “Then I did the
interview and found out I was selected. It was
unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it. I was so
excited. I owe everything to my kiddos. This
is all because of them. They are the reason I
work with desire and want to help them do
something big later in their life.”
The Texas Association for Bilingual Education
chose Roth because of her “dedication to
the needs of English language learners and
her outstanding leadership.” TABE’s Bilingual
Education Teacher of the Year is chosen
based an extensive application that includes
testimonials from principals and fellow
teachers and information about student
achievement.
“I believe when students come from a
different country or culture, it is best to
help maintain that culture,” Roth said. “It’s
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important they know their roots so they can
maintain communication with their families.
They will add the new culture as they are here.
I want my students to be very proud of who
they are.”
Before her state accolade, Roth was awarded
the Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the
Bilingual ESL Association of the Metroplex
(BEAM), in part because of her work to ensure
that bilingual teachers are afforded with
real practical applications based on her own
successful classroom experience.
A teacher for 25 years, Roth is known for her
commitment to students and to Sherman ISD.
She currently holds the district’s record for the
highest STAAR scores achieved in Sherman ISD
(in both bilingual and general education).
“It is so smart for our students to speak two
languages,” Roth said. “It’s important for them