Jenkins, Martin receive top awards

The Weatherford ISD recently honored its top teachers at its annual Campus Teacher of the Year Awards held at the Emerging Technologies Building at Weatherford College.

Tiel Jenkins, Teacher of the Year at Weatherford High School, was named the district’s Secondary Teacher of the Year. Curtis Elementary School teacher Tonya Martin received the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year award.

The event began with a welcome from Superintendent Dr. Beau Rees. Van Houser and Dave Cowley, both former presidents of the Weatherford ISD Education Foundation, provided the opening prayer and served as master of ceremonies, respectively.

Campus honorees were in most cases introduced by their principals.

Donna Stubblefield was named Austin Elementary School Campus Teacher of the Year. She was introduced by Principal Kendall Berry.

“This individual goes beyond the call of duty to inspire and empower her students, fostering a positive learning environment where every child can thrive,” Berry said of Stubblefield. Her impact extends far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on students, colleagues, and the community.

The Crockett Elementary School Campus Teacher of the Year was Kevin Morgan. 

“Stephen Covey once said in the great literature of all progressive societies ‘love’ is a verb,” Principal Tra Hall said in introducing Morgan. “Reactive people make it a feeling; proactive people make love a verb love. Love is something you do — the sacrifices you make, the giving of self, and our teacher there this year is a gentleman who gives of himself each and every day.”

When Tonya Martin was introduced, Principal Lorie Bratcher said “she's a real go getter and she has been ever since she first came to Curtis in 2018. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, creativity, and teaching and dedication to each child's growth, development, and success truly makes her a beacon of inspiration for the staff and students at Curtis Elementary.”

Laura Montelongo was named Ikard Elementary School Campus Teacher of the Year. 

“She is an emergent bilingual teacher at Izard Elementary, which is a pre-K through fifth grade bilingual campus,” Principal Christy Burton said. “She does an amazing job. She welcomes our families. She's our ELPAC (English language proficiency test) coordinator. We have numerous newcomers this year that she has helped not just in the classroom or the campus, but in the community”

Principal Mitzy Myall introduced Summer Graves, Martin Elementary School Campus Teacher of the Year.

“She truly exemplifies the highest standards of excellence,” Mayall said. “Her dedication to her students is above any that I have seen in a long, long time. And her passion for education is outstanding and excellent as well. She has gone above and beyond to create a fun environment of learning for our students and the relationships she builds with students is phenomenal.”

The Seguin Elementary School Campus Teacher of the Year was Tiffany Montgomery.

Principal Michelle Stapp said “our Teacher of the Year exemplifies what it means to be an educator. She loves her students. Math comes to life in her room, and if you've ever been in there, you don't want to leave.”

Lauren Hollier was named Campus Teacher of the Year at Wright Elementary School.

“Our second grade teacher not only builds relationships with her students, she takes it to another level,” said Principal April Leppla. “They cry when she cries. They laugh when she laughs and they hope that she comes back if she's absent. Our second grade teacher of the year is not only the most amazing relationship builder I have ever seen, she’s also inspiring to other teachers. She mentors others.”

Principal Sean Kenny introduced Hall Middle School Teacher of the Year, John Moody.

“I'm honored to recognize Mr. John Moody, our eighth grade algebra teacher, the STEM department chair, and dedicated coach as our teacher of the year, Kenny said. “Coach Moody's commitment to academic excellence extends beyond the classroom, where he excels at making complex mathematical concepts exciting to middle school kids. As a data-driven teacher, he ensures every student feels valued and empowered to excel. His leadership also extends to athletics, where he instills values of teamwork and discipline in our student athletes.”

The Tison Middle School Campus Teacher of the Year was Kristin Perkins.

“She is our eighth grade math and algebra teacher,” Principal Leslie Ghiglieri said. Ms. Perkins creates magic; the magic that allows a diverse group of students to respect their teacher and each other by tackling the struggles of learning something new. Every day she makes sure the students know she believes in them and in turn, they believe in themselves. This is what she does every day.”

Justin Gaines was named Campus Teacher of the Year for the Ninth Grade Center.

“Mr. Justin Gaines works in our GRID department with our welding students,” said Principal Jessica Duenez. “I really listened closely to the message from all of our teachers over the years and what I'm hearing is a theme of relationships, and that is absolutely a strength of Mr. Gaines. He's gonna leave straight from here today and go to Camp Brady spruce to hang out with some awesome elementary students. But that is who he is. He is a relationship person, whether it's his own children or our ninth graders.”

WISD Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Kady Donaghey introduced Weatherford High School Campus Teacher of the Year Tiel Jenkins.

“From the time I met her I knew she was an advocate for all kids,” Donaghey said. “Her enrollment in food science has grown tremendously over the past three years. Kids don't have to take her class — they choose her class. They choose to be with her every day; they choose to learn from her every day — her excitement for the program as well as her excitement for what she's teaching them to better prepare them for life after high school.”

Rori Travis was named Campus Teacher of the Year for the Bridge Academy. Also shown is Joey Hobbs, Bridge Academy Coordinator.

“She's fierce. She's passionate,” said Bridge Academy Coordinator Joey Hobbs. “Anyone that's met her knows these two things. The light in her eyes and the smile on her face when she when a kid is successful is pretty awesome.”