Lawson’s Genesis Yougas and Scott Johnson’s Daun Griffen Named 2023 MISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year at Annual Teacher of the Year Celebration
McKinney, Texas – It’s one of the most anticipated and inspiring events of the year for McKinney ISD—the Teacher of the Year Dinner, held each spring at the district’s Community Event Center.
On Thursday, April 6, the oft-erratic Texas weather offered up a cool, cloudy evening as MISD officials, teachers, administrators, family, community members and event sponsors made their way into the CEC to honor the 30 MISD Campus Teachers of the Year and to announce the 2023 MISD Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Each Campus Teacher of the Year represented the best of the best, chosen by his or her colleagues as exemplars of the profession, educators who often impact not only their own students, but the entire campus. In March, each of these representatives participated in a portfolio and interview process with a panel of judges for consideration to be selected as the district’s Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year, who then represent the district in the Region 10 competition.
As the guests enjoyed dinner, the program got underway, and MISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt approached the podium to welcome everyone. The audience heard remarks from Board President Amy Dankel as well as last year’s Teachers of the Year, Melvin Crosby from McKinney North High School and Erica Johnson from Press Elementary. McKinney Mayor George Fuller was not able to attend but congratulated the teachers via a pre-recorded video.
“To every teacher, every staff member and administrator…thank you,” said Fuller. “Know that your efforts and your work are recognized and appreciated. You do the most important job there could possibly be—you prepare our youth for a successful future. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Dankel expressed the board’s support of MISD’s teachers and said, “You are the best of the best. We have a fabulous district, and it is so wonderful to hear about all of the great things you’re doing and to be here with you this evening.”
At Pratt’s invitation, the teachers began to make their way one by one to the stage to be recognized while a video feature about each teacher offered a glimpse into their classrooms and the heart behind their work.
Eventually, the time came to announce the MISD Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year.
“Please understand that the reason we hold this program each year is to honor each campus teacher of the year,” said Pratt. “This isn’t about who is selected as the winner, we do that for the purpose of designating a representative for our district at the regional level. The fact that you were selected, by your peers, is the highest honor you can receive in your career. Be proud of that. But, for the purpose of sending a representative to the regional or state levels, we will now announce the Finalists for this honor.”
The first name Pratt called was Elementary Second Runner-up Kimberly Hofmeister, a 2nd grade teacher from Caldwell Elementary. She was followed by First Runner-up Jordan Tennis, a P.E. teacher from Valley Creek.
ESL teacher Kathleen Trusty from McKinney Boyd was the Second Runner-up at the secondary level, and the First Runner-up was David Moore, an 8th grade science teacher from Evans Middle School.
Then, the moment arrived for the announcement of each of the 2023 District Teachers of the Year: Elementary Teacher of the Year Genesis Yougas from Lawson Early Childhood School and the MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Daun Griffen from Scott Johnson Middle School.
Amid an eruption of applause, Yougas and Griffen were each offered a moment for a few remarks at the podium. Yougas spoke of her faith, thanked family members and those who have impacted her journey. As she concluded, Yougas directed her remarks toward her fellow teachers. “I also want to thank all of you here. I am a product of McKinney; I graduated from McKinney North, so I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for teachers like you who believed in me, who cared for me and who told me that I was valuable, and that I could do it.”
Likewise, Griffen approached the microphone and addressed faith and family and spoke about the importance of sharing one’s gifts with others. “My gift is motivation…If you walk in your gift, it levels someone else up. So, please don’t ever hold your gift because your gift is never for you. It is always designed to level someone up.”
Pratt, wrapped up the evening with words of encouragement and appreciation. “You guys who are not in McKinney ISD…you witnessed tonight what McKinney ISD is about,” Pratt said. “Our teachers are outstanding, and they make a difference every single day in our kids’ lives in McKinney ISD. So, teachers thank you very much. I hope you felt the love tonight. Our board, our administration, our community all appreciate you very much.”
2023 MISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Genesis Yougas
2023 MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Daun Griffen
2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalists
MISD 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalists
MISD 2023 Campus Teachers of the Year:
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