Sherman ISD surprised winners of the district's 2023-24 Staff of the Year awards on May 7. Each winner received $500 from First Texoma National Bank, and the SISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and SISD Secondary Teacher of the Year will each drive brand-new vehicles from Sherman Chevrolet for the next year!
Congratulations to the following honorees:
Elementary Teacher of the Year - Alyssa Woody, Head Start Teacher at Perrin Early Childhood Center
Alyssa Woody has been a huge factor in Perrin's success in the school’s first three years as a campus. She is a member of Perrin’s Legacy Leadership Team and is quick to offer support in numerous ways. Woody has a true gift for teaching and making it all look so easy and fun! She has also been a successful grant writer for many years and has been awarded three grants in three years!
Secondary Teacher of the Year - Christopher Preskitt, Lead Teacher at DAEP
The ever-changing landscape of DAEP requires that Christopher Preskitt consider each student, their grade level, where they are at in their campus scope and sequence, and the needs of each individual student. Preskitt makes sure that each student has what they need to be successful in their class while at DAEP, and working with some of the toughest students in the district is truly a gift that he possesses.
New Teacher of the Year - Denise Serrano, Kindergarten Teacher at Washington Elementary
Throughout the year, Denise Serrano has demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism and focus, consistently striving for excellence in all aspects of her teaching practice. One of Denise's most notable achievements has been her remarkable impact on student reading levels. Through her tireless efforts and innovative teaching methods, she has significantly improved the reading abilities of her students, laying a strong foundation for their future academic success.
Employee of the Year - Jansen Trotter, 7th Grade Assistant Principal at Sherman Middle School
Jansen Trotter takes the lead on projects without being told what needs to be done. Trotter's work ethic and skill set are crucial for SMS to operate effectively. He is forward-thinking and always trying to find ways to better SMS. He is the perfect example of what an assistant principal should be: someone who is willing to go above and beyond in his job, and he maintains a positive attitude while tackling difficult situations.
Team of the Year - Science Team at Piner Middle School (Devin Turk, Brandi Conary, Sabrina Goddard, Neven Milutinovic, Cicily Stone, Angella Arana)
The Piner Science Team has consistently demonstrated excellence in their collaborative efforts to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students. One of their standout achievements this year was their SISD Solar Eclipse Day activities. With attention to detail and a passion for fostering curiosity, the team provided students with a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical experience and enhanced their understanding of concepts related to astronomy and celestial mechanics.
Volunteer of the Year - Raul Rivera and GENTS VII Barbershop at Dillingham Elementary
Raul Rivera is a barber at Gents VII Barbershop in Downtown Sherman, and this year, for the 2024 "All Dolled Up" event on picture day, Mr. Rivera encouraged the shop owner, Jesus Prado, to bring along several barbers from his shop to work along with Raul to cut and style male students' hair. Raul and his coworkers reported to Dillingham at 7 a.m. and continued to style and cut students' hair until the line was finished.
