DSISD ANNOUNCES CAMPUS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

By Staff Reports

Dripping Springs ISD announced 2019-20 Campus Teachers of the Year on April 15. Campus winners were selected through a nomination and voting process of all staff at each school.

Teachers of the Year are:  Annette Hambright (Sycamore Springs Elementary, Special Education), Dave Hammond (Dripping Springs Middle School, special education), Jordyn LaMirand (Sycamore Springs Middle School, Special Education), Michael Lemonds (Dripping Springs High School, business/real estate); Lynne Maddox (Dripping Springs Elementary, first grade), Olivia Martinez (Walnut Springs Elementary, third grade), and Kristin Wright (Rooster Springs Elementary, fifth grade). 

The seven campus winners are now eligible for the DSISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year awards. Those two winners will be chosen through a virtual interview process by a district committee, and announced at the May 18th DSISD Board of Trustee meeting. They will then represent DSISD in the state-wide Teacher of the Year contest.

Below is a brief career summary on each of the campus winners:

ANNETTE HAMBRIGHT:  Sycamore Springs Elementary teacher Annette Hambright is in her sixth year teaching and her third in Dripping Springs ISD.  She is a Functional Academics teacher in Special Education, and works with students in multiple grade levels. Previously she taught for two years in Lago Vista ISD and a year in Fredericksburg ISD. In addition to her Special Education certification, Ms. Hambright also is certified as an Early Childhood-Sixth Grade generalist and in English as a Second Language. Ms. Hambright earned a bachelor’s degree in Major Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. 

DAVE HAMMOND:  Dave Hammond is in his second year as a Special Education teacher at Dripping Springs Middle School. He previously worked in Hays CISD for one year. An Air Force veteran, Mr. Hammond is certified in both Special Education and core subjects for Grades 4-8. Mr. Hammond earned his bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University and his master’s degree in Education from Texas State University.

JORDYN LaMIRAND:  Jordyn LaMirand is in her fourth year teaching at the middle school level in DSISD, working at Dripping Springs Middle School for one year before moving to Sycamore Springs Middle School when it opened in the fall of 2017. After serving as a Special Education inclusion teacher in 2018-29, she is a FOCUS teacher this year. Mrs. LaMirand, whose husband also teaches at SSMS, is certified Special Education (all grade levels), core subjects through sixth grade, and English as a Second Language. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and her master’s degree in Education from Texas State University.

MICHAEL LEMONDS:  Now in his fifth year at Dripping Springs High School, Michael Lemonds started his career in a business-related career. That background allowed him to bring real-world experience to DSHS students in the areas of business, financial markets, and entrepreneurship. He also created the Fundamentals of Real Estate course, which was the first of its kind in Texas high schools. He is certified in Social Studies and Business Education at the secondary level. Mr. Lemonds graduated from Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history.

LYNNE MADDOX:  Veteran teacher Lynne Maddox has spent the last seven years at Dripping Springs Elementary. Currently she teaches first grade. Previously she taught elementary school for 16 years in Spring Hill ISD. Ms. Thomas possesses multiple certifications: Elementary Self-Contained (Grades 1-8), Elementary English (Grades 1-8), Elementary History (Grades 1-8) and supplemental certifications in Special Education and English as a Second Language. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Tyler.  

OLIVIA MARTINEZ: Olivia Martinez is in her sixth year at Walnut Springs Elementary after spending one year at Dripping Springs Elementary. Currently she teaches third grade.  She also spent two years teaching at a private school before joining the DSISD family. She is certified as an Elementary Generalist (EC-6), and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6). Ms. Martinez graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in English.

KRISTIN WRIGHT:  Fifth-grade teacher Kristin Wright is in her fifth year at Rooster Springs Elementary, and her 13th overall as an elementary teacher. Previously, she spent seven years with Eanes ISD and one year with Austin ISD. Ms. Wright has multiple certifications including Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), and Elementary Math, English, and Social Studies. She also is certified in Special Education (PK-12) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (PK-12). Ms. Wright is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.

The DSISD Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by St. David’s HealthCare, in conjunction with the Dripping Springs Education Foundation.

All Photos courtesy of DSISD.