Head of Class
Few Primary teacher captures state award
By SHARON KERR Staff writer

Newsboy photo/Sharon Kerr RENEE DICKERSON,a teacher at Few Primary, has been chosen as Elementary Educator of the Year by the Association of Texas Professional Educators.

Renee Dickerson, a Jean C. Few Primary School teacher, stood out amongst her peers when she was named Elementary Educator of the Year by the Association of Texas Professional Educators March 28 in Austin.

Dickerson has been teaching at Few for six years. She entered an essay in the contest sponsored by the state's largest group of educators, and was chosen as one of three finalists. A personal interview in Austin determined the final winner.

"In my essay I said that a professional educator is motivating, a good listener and put children first," Dickerson said. "I try to find creative ways to engage them, to create a thirst for knowledge that will make them lifelong learners."

Dickerson teaches the English portion of the bilingual class, and has the gifted and talented students in the afternoon.

"People in Austin talked about successes, but whenever a kids don't succeed I take it as a challenge to step up and do better," Dickerson said.

"As an educator, I've learned most about my job from students," Dickerson said. "Anyone can present information to a classroom, but an excellent educator studies, presents, adjusts, modifies and re-teaches according to each student's learning style, needs and abilities."

She has perused grants to allow her to do additional activities with her classes. She earned the Michael Jordan Nike grant that allowed her to put on a reading olympics one year.

Every year her classes do "bug, butterflies and blooms" where they raise a caterpillar and release the resulting butterfly.

"I try to expose them to things they wouldn't normally see and will remember. It's seeing that little light go off inside that I'm looking for," Dickerson said.

Principal Vanessa Phillips said, "As a teacher, she is very flexible and willing to take on challenges. She's pursued higher education like her masters and ESL training that benefits our school. Her students have excelled as a result."

Nearly 1,100 teachers, para-educators and administrators joined Dickerson for the association's awards ceremony. Awards were also presented to educators in associate, secondary, special services/support and administrator categories.

The three-day convention also gave guests the opportunity to attend special workshops, set ATPE's legislative and governance program, and elect new state officers.

"The Educator of the Year award is one of the highest honors we give each year and is only given to those educators who go the extra mile every day for their students and coworkers," said Sue Melton, ATPE state president and special education teacher with West ISD.

"Renee is an inspiration to the rest of us and a valuable source of information for her peers."