SPOTLIGHT TEACHERS’ RECOGNITION SETS STAGE FOR GALA EVENT

On October 25 the Cypress-Fairbanks Education Foundation will roll out the red carpet for 71

teachers who recently were named Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District’s “Spotlight Teachers” for the 2006-07 school year. That evening, the Foundation will celebrate those teachers’ hard work and dedication to their students and schools at the 10^th annual “Salute to the Stars” Gala at the Richard E. Berry Educational Support Center. The black-tie event is held each year to honor Spotlight teachers, and to raise funds for Cy-Fair ISD’s Instructional Excellence Grant program. Marie Holmes, the Cypress-Fairbanks Educational Foundation’s executive director, said over $687,000 has been raised for the teacher grant program since 1998. “This is a huge year for us because we are celebrating the 10^th anniversary of Salute to the Stars,” Holmes said. “It is wonderful way to recognize Cy-Fair’s Spotlight teachers, and we anticipate a tremendous amount of support from the community as has happened in years past.” May 7 Cy-Fair ISD officials applauded the Spotlight teachers who will be honored at the Oct. 25 Salute to the Stars Gala. The district called a special meeting at the Berry Center to introduce the teachers – from 45 elementary schools, 23 secondary schools and three special programs facilities – to the 2006-07 board of trustees. "It would be impossible to name one teacher of the year to represent Cy-Fair ISD,” said Kelli Durham, Cy-Fair ISD’s assistant superintendent of communication. “Instead the district recognizes one teacher from each of its 71 campuses. Each Spotlight teacher represents the unique balance of the skill, the art, and heart of teaching for his or her campus." 2006-07 Spotlight teachers Eva McDonald and Bridget Milligan both said it is wonderful to receive recognition for work they hold close to their hearts. “It is so exciting that this has happened this year because I have such a special group of children,” said McDonald, who is a special education teacher at Black Elementary School. “I have seen tremendous growth in them. When a child is excited, the teacher gets even more excited about what she is doing.” McDonald has been a teacher in Cy-Fair ISD for 16 years, and in the special education program for four years. She received the Spotlight honor for being an outstanding “lifelong learner,” which is one of the qualities outlined in the district’s “Portrait of a Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher.”

“I have the support of a wonderful staff at Black Elementary,” McDonald said. “I have also worked under the best principals anyone could teach under at Cy-Fair ISD.”

  Milligan, a sixth-grade World Cultures teacher at Campbell Middle School, said she was thrilled and excited to hear she had been named a “Spotlight Teacher.” She received the award for being an outstanding “positive role model,” which is another quality outlined in the district’s “Portrait of a Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Teacher.”

“I was honored to hear about the award,” Milligan said. “I am glad to know that our district recognizes teachers’ hard work with students.”

Milligan has taught at Cy-Fair ISD since August 2000. She works with Campbell’s student leadership group, which participates in the Superintendent’s Leadership Conference in October and March.

“I love what I do and work hard at it, but I do not expect recognition,” Milligan said. “This year I worked harder than I ever have and the hours I put in with the students were well worth it.”

For information about underwriting and sponsorships opportunities for the 10^th Annual Salute to the Stars gala, contact Marie Holmes at 832-381-2333, or e-mail marie@thecfef.org