On Monday, May 2, at the Teacher of the Year banquet hosted by Victoria ISD, Jessica Garza was selected as the Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Karew Schumaker was selected as Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Jessica Garza, a kindergarten teacher at Smith STEM Academy, is teaching in her seventh year. Garza has been an elementary teacher at multiple VISD campuses, including Crain and Hopkins Elementary.
Ms. Garza is passionate about building positive relationships with her students and parents. Garza has also integrated many aspects of project-based learning within her classroom to ensure that all of her students have the most engaging experiences and are challenged academically.
Karew Schumaker, a science teacher at Victoria West High school (VWHS), is in her ninth year of teaching, all of which have been at VWHS.
Ms. Schumaker ensures that education goes beyond the classroom by utilizing a multifaceted approach. This stems from her passion for establishing mutual respect both in and outside her classroom. Schumaker takes pride in getting to know all of her students to show that she cares and is invested in their success.
Garza and Schumaker will move to the regional selection process for the Region 3 Teacher of the Year, conducted in June and July. Garza and Schumaker are both candidates for their respective grade levels.
Photos from the banquet can be viewed HERE.
Congratulations to the VISD 2021-2022 Campus Teachers of the Year:
VISD Head Start - Jessica Rodriguez
Aloe Elementary - Mancie Beck
Chandler Elementary - Margaret Hamon
Crain Elementary - Kathleen Cranna
DeLeon Elementary - LaChelle Speaker
Dudley Elementary - Brandi Salazar
Hopkins Elementary - Kimberly Varela
Mission Valley Elementary - Tara Payne
O’Connor Elementary - Ricci Hernandez
Rowland Elementary - Amy Kocian
Schorlemmer Elementary - Kelly Moore
Shields Elementary - Jennifer Ortman
Smith Elementary - Jessica Garza
Torres Elementary - Heather Neuvar
Vickers Elementary - Kim Bonewald
Cade Middle School - Casey Sherman
Howell Middle School - Evelyne Conway
Patti Welder Middle School - Tracy Montez
Stroman Middle School - Michelle Flores
Liberty Academy - Gerald Garza
Victoria East High School - Joshua Chaput
Victoria West High School - Karew Schumaker
CTI - Kayla Sralla