Round Rock ISD teachers and paraprofessionals are invaluable to the growth and development of our students and community. As they continue to do amazing things each day, we recognize our Teachers of the Year (TOY) and Paraprofessionals of the Year (POY) for their efforts to enhance teaching and learning and keep our students on the path toward a bright future.
Every year, each campus selects a TOY to recognize their contribution in the classroom and throughout the campus learning community. These teachers are up for a chance to be selected as the District’s Secondary TOY, announced in early May. District winners will have the opportunity to go on and compete for the region and state TOY title.
This year, campuses were also given the option to participate in the inaugural year of the District’s POY Program. Campuses who elected to participate, submitted their winners for the District showcase.
For the showcases, campus principals were asked to share a few words about their winners and what makes them great.
The District and Texas TOY program awards teachers until the next school year. Therefore, they are awarded and named TOY for the next year and not the current year.
Middle School Teachers and Paraprofessionals of the Year
C.D. Fulkes Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Austin Pryor, 7th Grade Math
Canyon Vista Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Austin Boriack, 8th Grade Science
Paraprofessional of the Year
Dalia Granados, Receptionist
Cedar Valley Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Robert Kaltenbacher, Math
Paraprofessional of the Year
Ana Trejo, Custodian
Chisholm Trail Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Jared Adams, Band Director
Paraprofessional of the Year
Michelle Santos, Administrative Associate
Deerpark Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Casey Burns, 7th Grade Math
Paraprofessional of the Year
Odila "Odie" Martinez, Lead Custodian
Grisham Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Kristen Hendricks, 8th Grade Special Education
Paraprofessional of the Year
Nichole Warren, Adminstrative Assistant
Hernandez Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Mariah Faust, Theatre Arts
Paraprofessional of the Year
Maria Halfhill, ESL Educational Assistant
Hopewell Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Christonna Jones, Athletics
Paraprofessional of the Year
Alice Rivera, Receptionist and Sub Coordinator
Pearson Ranch Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Alex Moore, CTE and Spanish
Paraprofessional of the Year
Elaine Wyzykowski, Administrative Associate
Ridgeview Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Julia Oldham, 6-8 Functional Academic Classroom
Paraprofessional of the Year
Art Jimenez, FOCUS Support
Walsh Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Sharon Eskenazi, 6th Grade World Cultures
Paraprofessional of the Year
Kristin Martinez, Administrative Associate
High School Teachers of and Paraprofessionals the Year
Cedar Ridge High School
Teacher of the Year
Kristie Copeland, Theatre Director
“Mrs. Copeland serves as our head Theater director and puts on several experiences and shows throughout the school year, such as Movies at the Ridge, Zombie Experience, Children’s Show, Yearly Musical, 24-Hour Musical, UIL One-Act Play, and Shakespeare in the Courtyard. Kristie is committed to providing the best educational opportunities for our students in the program and producing the most high-quality shows compared to other high schools in the District every year. She goes above and beyond to reach every kid. In May 2020, our Theater Production of Legally Blonde won the Best Production and Choreography at the Greater Austin High School Musical Theater Awards. This award is equivalent to the Grammy Awards for high school musicals and is a HUGE accomplishment. Throughout the pandemic, she and her team always put students first to creatively figure out a way to provide safe and healthful experiences. A good example of that is the Movies at the Theater, which received many recognitions from the District. Kristie’s commitment and love for our students do not go unnoticed.” – Jiae Kim, Cedar Ridge High School Principal
Paraprofessional of the Year
Susan Cantu, Administrative Assistant to the Principal
“Congratulations to Mrs. Susan Cantu, Mrs. Kim’s Administrative Assistant, for being named the Paraprofessional of the Year! Mrs. Cantu is the problem solver for all things here at CRHS. While assisting all things Mrs. Kim-related, she organizes events for staff, collects gift cards, subs in the front office, takes care of all sorts of questions and emails that come from students, parents, and staff at all hours of the day, orders food for all of us when necessary, helps with sub coverage, talks with the District personnel to communicate about our facility needs, while answering phones, and the list won’t stop. She’s dedicated to serving our campus, and her hard work is what allows us to operate so well daily.” – Jiae Kim, Cedar Ridge High School Principal
Early College High School
Teacher of the Year
Adrian Barrera, Chemistry
Paraprofessional of the Year
Karen Vaughn, Senior Administrative Associate
McNeil High School
Teacher of the Year
Andrea Larson, 9-12 English Language Learners
Paraprofessional of the Year
Rae Ann Carrizales, Administrative Assistant
Round Rock High School
Teacher of the Year
Cynthia Clement, AVID
Paraprofessional of the Year
Betsy Olmeda, Receptionist
Stony Point High School
Teacher of the Year
Molly Perkins, Math
Success High School
Teacher of the Year
Julie Fleischmann, High School Social Studies
Westwood High School
Teacher of the Year
Amanda Bass, ESL
Paraprofessional of the Year
Carol Hickey, Receptionist and Sub Coordinator
Alternative Education Teachers of and Paraprofessionals the Year
GOALS Learning Center
Teacher of the Year
Leslie Manzi, 6-12 Social Skills, Technology, Intervention; 6th Grade Science; Independent Living
Paraprofessional of the Year
Arlene Fontenot, Educational Assistant
Round Rock Opportunity Center
Teacher of the Year
Brian Lebansky, High School Science
Paraprofessional of the Year