Exceptional College of Education Graduates Named AISD’s Teachers of Promise - April 23, 2007

Fourteen University of Texas at Austin teacher education graduates were named Teachers of Promise by Austin Independent School District (AISD) in a March 22 honors reception.

Principals and mentor teachers from each AISD campus selected one first-year teacher as a Teacher of Promise. Novice teachers were chosen based on their consistent demonstration, through the first year on the job, of “teaching excellence.” This year 92 teachers were honored.

Winners who graduated from The University of Texas at Austin’s College of Education are:

• Tammy Arredondo – Graham Elementary
• Christina Baez – Summitt Elementary
• Natalie Clark – Oak Hill Elementary
• Racheal DeBlanc – Allison Elementary
• Daniel FitzPatrick – Covington Middle School
• Katie Leonard – Dawson Elementary
• Tahra McKeever – Brentwood Elementary
• Angela Pierce – Langford Elementary
• Anna Roch – Pease Elementary
• Morgan Schlegel – Highland Park Elementary
• Missy Smith – Baranoff Elementary
• Kathleen Tseo – McBee Elementary
• Lisa Vasquez – St. Elmo Elementary
• Meagan Vickers – Anderson High School

“The first year of teaching is extremely challenging for most,” said Dr. Manuel J. Justiz, dean of the College of Education, “and to have completed this difficult year in a manner deemed excellent by your school is something to be very proud of. We expect nothing less than teaching excellence from our graduates - over and over again, they live up to our expectations.”

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910