Westwood High School teacher Chris Mihealsick was named the Region 13 Secondary Teacher of the Year at an event in downtown Austin honoring Teachers of the Year from the more than 50 school districts in the Central Texas/Region 13 area.
Mihealsick, a science teacher, was named Round Rock ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in May. She was selected among 18 Round Rock ISD secondary educators to represent the District at the regional competition. As Region 13 Secondary Teacher of the Year, she will now compete for the title of Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year among 20 state finalists.
The announcement came as a surprise at the luncheon. During her comments as she accepted the award, Mihealsick praised her fellow teachers.
“The work that we do is so impactful,” she said. “I think of my personal children whose lives have been changed by phenomenal educators, I think of the kids I work with and the things I see. I work with 17- and 18-year-olds, and they still grow. I’m grateful for the work that all of you do, and I’m honored to represent the region for all of you.”
Westwood Principal, Erin Campbell, said the school is lucky to have Mihealsick on board.
“She’s one of those leaders who inspires her students each and every day,” she said. “It’s impossible for a student not to learn when they’re in her classroom.”
Next, Mihealsick will be considered for Teacher of the Year at the state level, along with 40 other Regional Teachers of the Year. The Texas Association of School Administrators will have a panel of judges meet in August to narrow the pool of applicants down to six finalists, three elementary, and three secondary.
