The energy in the room was unbelievable.  Imagine a roomful of  dynamic teachers who have recently been honored as “The Best of the Best” in Richardson ISD.  Each year the RISD Excellence in Education Foundation names ten Richardson ISD teachers as STARS Teachers.

 Alpha Delta Kappa is an honorary organization for outstanding women educators.  It is only fitting that ADK honor the outstanding STARS Teachers with a reception to congratulate them.

We were ready for the party.

Amy, Karen, and Phyllis served our honored guest.  The menu was simple, cookies, fruit, vegetables, and punch.  Love the pretty flowers.

NaKaydria Buckner-Johnson is a kindergarten teacher at Stults Road Elementary.  Each honoree invited a guest and their principal.

Visiting with the recipients was a joy.  Education was the topic of conversation in every group.  From left to right, Leah McDonald is a librarian at Terrace Elementary, Jeni Dillinger is a fourth grade teacher at Bowie Elementary, and Tobi Brooks teaches precalculus and algebra at Pearce High School.  Janet and Lynette from ADK are with them.

Sweet Mother of Pearl.  I could not believe this.  Ryan Ratcliff worked in the after school program at Brentfield while going to college, and now he is all grown up and being recognized as a fantastic teacher.  Plus he remembered me.  I was so proud for him.  At Parkhill Junior High, he is a coach and a math teacher.  He has certainly made an impression quickly.

Three fine ladies.  I loved seeing Patti Kieker (Assistant Superintendent).  What a wonderful lady.  Kay Reynolds was the chairman of the STARS committee.  From the first time I met her, – she taught computer lessons to my first graders – she has always brought positive vibes into the room.  Her energy and enthusiasm is contagious.   Polly is a distinguished member of our ADK chapter. (The STARS reception was her idea. Plus she has been president of the Texas ADK and on international ADK boards.  She is our own personal Mrs. ADK.)

Superintendent Kay Waggoner also joined us. Everyone enjoyed congratulating these hard working and dedicated teachers.  That is Jenny our ADK president in the purple.

What a pleasure it was to meet Oswaldo Rivera-Ortiz.  He is a first grade teacher at Forest Lane Academy.  It would be so much fun to be in his class.  Lynette and Sylvia are the ADK members in this group.

Kay, as the chairman of the STARS Committee, mentioned how hard it was to choose the winners.  These recipients should be beyond proud to be “The Best of the Best”.  There are so many outstanding educators especially in Richardson ISD.  How did they choose?  After meeting these winners, I sense the energy and excitment that each of them brings into their classrooms.  It was an honor to meet them.

Each Teacher of the Year was given a certificate, and “official” pictures were taken – much better than mine I am sure.  This is Kim Aman who teaches Special Education at Moss Haven Elementary.

Candice Nichols -in the red – is so funny and animated.  To think that she teaches Anatomy – Physiology at Lake Highland’s High School is amazing.  I didn’t even know they had such classes in high school.

Happy Schwieterman (the lady in the middle) is the STARS winner from Arapaho Classical Magnet.  She is a fifth grade math teacher, and she has taught some of Hot Rod’s friends.  I love her name.  She told me she uses her name Happy in her communications.  Wouldn’t you like to get a “Happy Note”?

Jennifer Babknecht teaches engineer/college transition at Berkner High School.  It is part of the STEM program.  Again, what they now teach in high school is new to me.

It was fun listening to the teachers talk.  More than one junior high and high school teacher mentioned how they could never teach kindergarten or first grade.  And the primary teachers could not imagine teaching high school or heaven forbid – junior high.  It was great to see so many different grade levels represented.

All teachers deserve our recognition and thanks.  It is good to meet “The Best of the Best”.  By honoring these men and women, we honor all teachers.

Blessings to you and yours,

Although I do not have pictures, many of the members of the school board were also at the reception.  It was the place to be this afternoon.