Sommer Elementary School talented and gifted teacher Revathi Balakrishnan has been named 2016 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Teacher of the Year.
Balakrishnan will be the sole Texas candidate representing the state in the National Teacher of the Year program. The honors were announced at an Oct. 16 luncheon celebrating 40 regional elementary and secondary Teacher of the Year winners.
Balakrishnan, 2016 Round Rock ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, advanced to the state Teacher of the Year program after being named 2016 Region 13 Teacher of the Year. Balakrishnan was selected as one of three state finalists in August. Balakrishnan has been an educator for nine years, six of which have been at Sommer as a founding staff member.
“We are so excited to celebrate Ms. Balakrishnan and her outstanding efforts and passion,” said Dr. Steve Flores, Superintendent of Schools. “World class schools start with caring educators working tirelessly for students, and she exemplifies that mission. She is a special teacher, a champion for TAG students, and we are proud to call her a member of our Round Rock ISD family.”
Teravista fifth-grade teacher Stephanie Stoebe also received the honor of Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2012.
Balakrishnan will now advance to the National Teacher of the Year program, whose winner is announced by the President of the United States in the spring during a Rose Garden ceremony. If chosen for as National Teacher of the Year, Balakrishnan would take a year sabbatical from classroom instruction and serve as an ambassador for the teaching profession.
While accepting the award, Balakrishnan said Round Rock ISD has been her home and thanked Dr. Flores, district officials, and the Texas Association of School Administrators for bestowing the honor.
“Thank you so much for investing faith in me to represent Texas,” Balakrishnan said as she accepted the award. “Although I am standing here, I represent all 39 educators that are here, representing the best in the state.”
