Round Rock ISD 2016 Elementary Teacher of the Year Revathi Balakrishnan has been named one of three finalists for 2016 Texas Teacher of the Year, awarded by the Texas Association of School Administrators.
Balakrishnan, Sommer Elementary School talented and gifted specialist, advanced to the state Teacher of the Year program after being named 2016 Region 13 Teacher of the Year this summer. Balakrishnan and Sommer staff were surprised with the news Aug. 24 while preparing for the first day of school.
“It was a surprise,” said Balakrishnan. “I’m really honored and of course I will try to do my best at the state level and bring a name to Round Rock ISD.”
Balakrishnan has been an educator for nine years, six of which have been at Sommer as a founding staff member.
A panel of judges composed of representatives of Texas teacher associations and the 2015 Texas Teacher of the Year finalists selected the finalists from the 40 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year — one elementary and one secondary teacher from each of the 20 Texas Education Service Center regions, according to TASA.
The panel will select two state-level winners — Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year — and designate one to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony Oct. 16 at the Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, where the 40 Regional Teachers of the Year will also be recognized.
“We are honored and excited to have Revathi Balakrishnan as a Patsy Sommer teacher,” said Nancy Varljen, Sommer principal. “She works hard to inspire her students and other staff members to do their absolute best for kids. It’s a well-deserved honor.”
