Aubrey ISD Teacher of the Year awards

By Amy Ruggini

Contributing Writer

Aubrey ISD announced its annual Campus Teacher of the Year honorees on May 2.

The five teachers from the district’s five campuses were surprised in their classrooms on May 6 by Aubrey ISD Superintendent Dr. David Belding, Deputy Superintendent Terrie McNabb, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Shannon Saylor and campus administrators.

“I am so proud of these five teachers,” Belding said. “What a wonderful honor for each of them to be chosen as their campus Teacher of the Year. They are excellent representatives of all of the teachers in Aubrey ISD. Congratulations to each of them as they are all very deserving of this recognition.”

Tanya Crisp was named the Monaco Elementary Teacher of the Year, Jana Story was the Brockett Elementary Teacher of the Year and Jennifer Woltman was named the Fuller Elementary Teacher of the Year. Kary Clayberg was announced as the Aubrey Middle School Teacher of the Year, and Jennifer Gilbreath was named the Aubrey High School Teacher of the Year.

To be eligible for the TOTY award, a teacher must be employed by Aubrey ISD and have at least one full year experience in Aubrey ISD. Faculty and staff at each campus nominated a TOTY.

Each principal formed a committee of staff and teachers to review the applications against a rubric. The committee made the selection from nominees.

The five honorees were nominated by their peers. Teachers and staff at each campus were asked to nominate a teacher that exhibited the district’s mission, vision and values.

Tanya Crisp Crisp is a special education teacher at Monaco. She has taught for 21 years, all of them at Aubrey. For the last five years, she has been a teacher in the special education department.

“Mrs. Crisp works diligently to provide individual instruction for each of her students, ensuring that each student's lesson plans are designed specifically with that student in mind,” MES Principal Barbara Pitt said. “Her students have always felt safe and cared for in her classroom. She empowers by giving kids a safe space to express themselves.”

Jana Story

Story is a fourth-grade teacher at Brockett Elementary. She has taught in the classroom for 24 years, including 20 years in fourth grade. All 24 years have been at Brockett.

“Mrs. Story goes above and beyond to get to know her students and colleagues and fosters a love for learning, even in the most reluctant students,” BES Principal Courtney Siggers said. “She makes personal connections with each of her students and even follows up with their teachers after they move on. She is always willing to listen and give advice to the teachers she works with.”

Jennifer Woltman

Woltman is a third-grade teacher at Fuller Elementary. She has taught third grade at Fuller for the last two years and has been in the classroom for nine years overall.

“Leadership is synonymous with Mrs. Woltman,” said a Fuller staff member. “She is always willing to share time, her materials, her ideas and her advice.”

“Mrs. Woltman is respected by her peers, her students and the administration,” said a Fuller staff member. “She is the go-to person for so many of the staff’s needs.”

Kary Clayberg

Clayberg has taught sixth grade science and math for the last four years at Aubrey Middle School. She has been in education for four years.

“Mrs. Clayberg inspires and empowers students in and out of her classroom,” an AMS staff member said in nomination.

“She shows integrity, compassion and loyalty while serving Aubrey ISD students and families with excellence,” an AMS staff member said in nomination.

Jennifer Gilbreath

Gilbreath has taught agricultural science and floral design at Aubrey High School for the last five years. Prior to AHS, she was an ag science teacher at AMS for 10 years.

“Mrs. Gilbreath cares for all students and provides learning experiences that all students love,” AHS Principal Matt Gore. “Words do not do justice to what she means to the Aubrey HS family.”