One’s known as the mom of the English hall. The other, relative-new-comer to the teaching profession, spends tons of hours working with her students and team. Now both have been honored by the West Foundation for their teaching.
English teacher Sandra Scheller and A&P, Biology and softball coach Alisha Crouch were honored with West Teaching Excellence awards last month.
Scheller was “very excited” when she found out she had won.
“It’s a tremendous honor,” Scheller said. “I would have done a dance of joy, but I thought it would have been inappropriate.”
In the WFISD, there are 1,100 teachers. Out of those 1,100 teachers, 20 were chosen as recipients of the award.
Scheller didn’t believe the first two congratulatory e-mails she received.
“It wasn’t until Mrs. McDonald congratulated me that I believed it,” Scheller said.
Science teacher Alisha Crouch knew for a few days before she received the e-mail.
“Braveboy accidentally told me,” Crouch said. “I was really surprised.”
Crouch believes that putting in a lot of extra hours is partly the reason she won the award.
“I also try to have a relationship with the students,” Crouch said. “When you have a good relationship, the kids want to learn.”
Scheller is known as the mom of the English hall.
“For younger teachers, we know we can go to her for advice, student problems, and lesson plan ideas,” English teacher Polly Birkhead said.
English teacher and long-time friend of Scheller, Yvonne Baker-Kistler believes Scheller won partly due to her listening nature and creativity.
“She’s extremely creative,” Baker-Kistler said. “Sometimes she comes up with some really wacky lesson plans that really work.”
Scheller said she feels honored to be chosen.
“I don’t know why I won,” Scheller said. “It’s exciting to work with so many dedicated, overworked faculty. I don’t know why they chose me.”
Birkhead credits her award to her patience.
“She’s willing to give kids a chance,” Birkhead said. “She’s able to bring things down to their levels.”
Baker-Kistler thinks the award is late getting to Scheller.
“She’s deserved this for years,” Baker-Kistler said. “She’s been an excellent teacher for many years and she’s just now getting noticed.”
Scheller has been teaching for 25 years and in her words, is only 27 years old.
“I love teaching,” Scheller said. “I learn something everyday. It’s encouraging that people care enough to offer some help.”