Killeen, Cove teachers earn Region 12 honors
Posted On: Wednesday, Jul. 28 2010 11:07 PM
From staff reports
Two area teachers have been named the best in the region and are semifinalists for the Texas Education Agency's statewide teacher of the year awards.
The Region 12 Education Service Center named Diane Untalan, an eighth grade science teacher at Charles Patterson Middle School in the Killeen Independent School District, the 2011 Secondary Teacher of the Year.
The region's Elementary Teacher of the Year is Billie Diaz, a third-grade teacher at Martin Walker Elementary School in the Copperas Cove Independent School District.
This is the second year in a row that a teacher with the Copperas Cove Independent School District has been selected the region's Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Region 12 includes schools in Bell and Coryell counties, as well as Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Mills and Navarro counties.
A news release from KISD said Untalan has been with the district for nine years.
"She is a dedicated member of the Charles Patterson faculty and continues to inspire students and staff with her passion for teaching," the release stated.
Untalan will be honored at an upcoming KISD school board meeting.
Diaz has taught at Martin Walker for all five of her years in the district. She previously worked in KISD.
Marla Sullivan, principal of Martin Walker, expressed her pride in Diaz in a written statement from the district.
"She goes above and beyond to make learning exciting and meaningful for her students. Billie is a team player, a campus leader and is truly worthy of this honor," Sullivan said.
The Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year last year, Evelyn Thompson, was also from Martin Walker Elementary School.
"Mrs. Diaz is a model teacher in CCISD and I am thrilled that for the past two years, Region 12 has recognized the quality of education Copperas Cove ISD is putting forth," CCISD Superintendent Rose Cameron said.
TEA will judge semifinalists in August and announce the statewide secondary and elementary teachers of the year.