Some TISD Employees Surprised with an Award

TYLER — EightTyler Independent School District employees have been surprised with the presentation of the Tyler ISD Foundation’s Spring 2015 A Team Award. The award was created to honor the sometimes unsung heroes of public education in Tyler. Honorees are nominated for the award by their co-workers. This is the second time the Tyler ISD Foundation has presented the A Team Award. The Spring 2015 recipients, who were announced Friday, are: Kevin Bogue, Coordinator of Information Systems, Technology; Shameka Kelly, Food Service, Griffin Elementary School; Oscar Garcia, Bilingual Math and Science Teacher, Austin Elementary School; April Caldwell, AVID Teacher, John Tyler High School; Phebe Luther-Mims, Secretary, Visual and Performing Arts Department; Tamara Moss, Administrative Assistant, Tyler ISD Assessment; Sharon Evans, Special Education Coordinator, Academic Intervention; Kelly England, Third Grade Teacher, Bell Elementary Global Communications Academy.

“Our goal in presenting the A Team Award is to let Tyler ISD staff members know we appreciate all they do for the success of our community’s children,” said Tyler ISD Foundation Executive Director Maya Bethany. “These recipients spend extra hours at work, reach out to families of students, mentor other staff members and provide outstanding and uplifting support to students and co-workers. This award is just one small way for us to thank them for going above and beyond and to express our appreciation for all they do to elevate student success. We want them to know that we see what they do on a daily basis and we are so very grateful.”

The Tyler ISD Foundation received a total of 63 nominations for the spring award. A review committee of Tyler ISD Foundation directors and Tyler ISD staff read through each nomination and selected the final 8 recipients.

The Tyler ISD Foundation presents the A Team Award twice each school year. One presentation is made during the fall semester, the second during the spring semester. Recipients will be invited to attend the foundation’s academic excellence recognition event A Night of Shining Stars each May.

One recipient of the A Team Award will be considered annually for the new Gary Mooring Excellence Award. The award created in 2014 is named in honor of former Tyler ISD Superintendent Gary Mooring. The award will honor a member of the A Team who shows outstanding commitment, dedication and passion for student achievement. The award finalist will be named during an employee recognition event in August.