The process for choosing BISD’s 2022-2023 Teachers of the Year began in March with the selection of 19 teachers, one from each campus, to represent their school in the district-wide contest. A panel of judges read their applications and essays from each representative without knowing the candidate’s name or campus. Through a scoring rubric, the judges narrowed the field to five elementary and five secondary teachers.
The finalists were then interviewed by the panel of judges through online resources and an Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Secondary Teacher of the Year was selected. The winners were announced at BISD Staff Recognition Dinner. The two selected teachers, Ashley Dane - Elementary Teacher of the Year and Christ McKeod m- Secondary Teacher of the year will represent BISD in the Texas Regional and State Teacher of the Year processes.
Ashley Dane, BISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, is a second grade teacher at Bess Brannen Elementary School, and is a third generation Texas public school teacher. Dane holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University as well as a Masters in Educational Administration from Lamar University. As a second grade teacher, Dane writes, “I am most passionate about developing my students into successful readers who love reading. I believe that when a student loves reading, they will love learning, and they will learn more from all their reading than I can ever hope to teach them.” Ashley Dane is also passionate about her students and seeks to provide them with a loving safe place to positively impact their view of school as they grow and learn.
Chris McLeod, BISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year, currently teaches 10th-12th grade rocket engineering at Brazoswood High School. With over 11 years of experience in teaching, with a background of teaching Physics, Chemistry, Engineering as well as other sciences, McLeod brings a vast knowledge of experience to his classroom. McLeod earned his Bachelor of Science in Marine Science from Texas A&M University. He currently is serving on a safety review board for the Spaceport America Cup - an international university rocket competition. McLeod believes that, “every student has a place and purpose in his classroom and can find meaning in both the daily work and large-scale projects that encompass the course.”Mr. McLeod describes his classroom, “as a place of collaboration and “organized chaos” as groups dive into research, design, and fabrication, with teams routinely meeting with local industrial and manufacturing businesses as they develop their rockets.”
Both Ashley Dane and Chris McLeod are representative of all BISD teachers Setting the Standard in Education across the State and will represent Brazosport ISD at the Regional Level Competition.
BISD Campus Teachers of the Year
April Dellinger AP Beutel Elementary
Ashley Dane Bess Brannen Elementary, BISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year
Anna Bejarano Freeport Elementary
Jessica Guined Elisabet Ney PreK
Megan Fleming Madge Griffith Elementary
Kimberly Guevara SF Austin STEM Academy
Amy Whitehead Gladys Polk Elementary
Kaitlin Eighme Velasco Elementary
Lisa Diehl OM Roberts Elementary
Brookelyn Floyd TW Ogg Elementary
Gabe Connell Grady B Rasco Middle
Anna Shirtum R O’Hara Lanier Middle
Rashad McConico Clute Intermediate
Samantha Stanley Freeport Intermediate
Ashlyn Hendricks Lake Jackson Intermediate
LaShaye Thompson Brazosport High School
Chris McLeod Brazoswood High School, BISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year
Willane Charles Brazos Success Academy
Eric Nelson Lighthouse Learning Center
BISD Elementary Campus Teachers of the Year 2022-2023
BISD Secondary Campus Teachers of the Year 2022-2023