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Students in Rhonda Elam's math class on any given day can be found playing golf, baking cupcakes or keeping track of basketball stats.
It's not a typical way of teaching math, but the Sul Ross Elementary School teacher said she's committed to making the subject "meaningful" to her students.
Elam was one of two veteran math teachers honored Friday during the district's annual awards ceremony. More than 1,000 Bryan school employees, students and their families gathered at the Bryan Civic Auditorium to thank, recognize and congratulate district teachers and staff.
Elam and Jane Long Middle School teacher Dawn Shepard were named elementary and secondary teachers of the year, respectively.
Jane Long Principal Diana Werner said Shepard is someone other teachers at the school -- including Werner -- look up to and admire. Shepard has taught at Jane Long since 1999 and is head of the school's math department.
"She serves as a role model for others on the importance of building relationships with students," Werner said. "She models that, not only for me, but for many others across the campus."
Shepard, in her application for the award, wrote that teachers can make an impact on students that will last for the rest of the students' lives.
"From the moment I walk through the front door of the school, I try to show through my words and actions there is no place I would rather be than right there with my kids imparting a portion of my knowledge and experiences onto them," she wrote in her application.
Sul Ross Principal Holly Havemann said Elam, who has taught at Sul Ross for the past five years, is a "magical" teacher. She explained that Elam, who teaches fifth grade, starts getting to know students at the school when they're in kindergarten in preparation for them being in her class.
Elam wrote in her application that teachers have a responsibility to their students.
"Each morning, 22 children enter my classroom, and I can determine whether they feel safe and comfortable or embarrassed and hurt. As a teacher, we need to think about not only what we say to our students, but how we say it," she wrote.
More than 80 people were nominated by Bryan school campuses for the two teacher of the year awards.
The two teachers of the year automatically become competitors in the regional contest.
Staff members could be nominated by any teacher, parent or community member, officials said during the ceremony, and must have worked for the district for at least three years.
Other award winners on Thursday included: carpenter Ernest Jeske, auxiliary employee of the year; Bonham Elementary special education aide Gail Stanislaw, paraprofessional of the year; Fannin Elementary master teacher Jennybeth Zambrano, professional specialist of the year; and Kemp Elementary Principal Kellie Deegear, administrator of the year.
Elementary Teachers of the Year by campus
Bonham -- Kathy Landrum
Bowen -- Molly Wilder
Branch -- Lucinda Houtchens
Carver -- Melissa Novosad
Crockett -- Judy Bratcher
Fannin -- Kathryn Seale
Henderson -- Lara Classen
Houston -- Jennifer Foreman
Johnson -- Sandra Montes-Torres
Jones -- Valery Villarreal
Kemp -- Krystle Tone
Milam -- Elizabeth Zamora
Mitchell -- Sarah Hensz
Navarro -- Cindi Scofield
Neal -- Diana Branch
Ross -- Rhonda Elam, who was the overall winner
Secondary Teachers of the Year by campus:
Bryan High School -- Robert Richards
Rudder High School -- Marcie Duley
Bryan Collegiate High School -- Rebecca Stringer
Lamar Alternative High School -- Whitney Brown Hicks
Disciplinary Alternative Education Program -- Janet Fanguy
Stephen F. Austin Middle School -- Katrina Horace
Arthur L. Davila Middle School -- Angela Perez
Jane Long Middle School -- Dawn Shepard, who was the overall winner
Sam Rayburn Middle School -- Lisa Smith
