Lawson’s Zulema Lujan Flores and McKinney High School’s Anna Feng Named Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year
McKinney, Texas – McKinney ISD administrators, teachers, board members and special guests gathered at the MISD Community Event Center on Thursday evening for the annual MISD Teacher of the Year Dinner to celebrate and honor the district’s 2021 Campus Teachers of the Year and to announce the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year.
After a year marked by virtual gatherings, the dinner felt like a joy-filled reunion of friends.
McKinney ISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel speaks at the 2021 McKinney ISD Teacher of the Year Dinner.
“This time last year, we were coming to grips with the fact that we were not going to be able to come back to school,” said MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel as he addressed the room. “That did not mean that the work of our teachers ended…as you know all too well. [But], last spring, our teachers rose to the occasion at a time when our kids needed them the most, and they carried on … So, while we are here to celebrate tonight the Teachers of the Year as selected by each of the campuses, I want to take the time at the very beginning to recognize all of the teachers in McKinney ISD. Let’s give them all a big round of applause.”
The response was loud and heartfelt.
Chosen by their colleagues, the 32 educators recognized as Campus Teachers of the Year represent the best of MISD. In a school year that has challenged teachers like no other, they led the way forward, as teachers across the district devoted themselves more deeply than ever to their students.
Zulema Lujan Flores speaks at the McKinney ISD Teacher of the Year Dinner after being named McKinney ISD 2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year
After being chosen at the campus level, each of these remarkable educators took part in a portfolio and interview process for consideration to represent the district in the Region 10 Teacher of the Year program as the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year.
For 2021, the MISD Elementary Teacher of the Year is Zulema Lujan Flores, a bilingual Head Start teacher from Lawson Early Childhood School, and the MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year is Anna Feng, an AP Physics teacher from McKinney High School.
“Wow, I am absolutely speechless,” said Lujan Flores after accepting her award and being ushered to the podium. “First I want to thank God for giving me this passion. I am extremely humbled. I want to thank my husband because he is with me every step of the way. We were, just last week, making a late night run for supplies for school. I want to thank my amazing Lawson family. I am so, so lucky to be part of that school, and I want to thank you guys because teachers like you are who inspire me. I am a McKinney ISD alum. I attended Walker Elementary, Malvern Elementary, Evans Middle School and the McKinney High School. I am honored, and I am blessed to have teachers like you in my life. Thank you!”
Anna Feng speaks at the McKinney ISD Teacher of the Year Dinner after being named the 2021 McKinney ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Anna Feng’s reaction as McDaniel announced her name reflected the emotion of the past year. With tears in her eyes, she accepted the award from McDaniel and composed herself at the podium before sharing her thoughts. “This afternoon, I was talking to my husband, and I said, ‘If I were to deliver a speech, I would thank you first,’ and I didn’t think further than that,” she said with a laugh.
“This year has been really rough,” Feng continued. “I’m a Christian, ok? So, it’s like one of those seasons where you’re not supposed to cry, and God brings people in your life … and I think that’s exactly how this year has been. It’s been so difficult, and I wanted to quit many times, but I keep getting encouragements like these, and it’s almost like God’s way of telling me, ‘Don’t give up.’ And, I really thank everyone for this great honor, and I’m really glad we didn’t give up. It didn’t beat us…and thank you so much. It is such an honor.”
As Feng made her way to her seat, McDaniel brought the evening to a close. “We have a tremendous school district, and I am so very proud to get to lead it,” he said. “All of those that you represent tonight, they thank you, but I hope you leave here tonight feeling like you were honored because we truly value you … from everyone that I get to stand up here and represent, know that I appreciate you.”
MISD Elementary Teacher of the Year
Zulema Lujan Flores — Lawson Early Childhood School
MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
Anna Feng — McKinney High School
MISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalists
Katherine Campos — Caldwell Elementary (First Runner Up)
Crystal Bayley — McClure Elementary (Second Runner Up)
MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalists
Karen Ferrito — Dowell Middle School (First Runner Up)
Conor Runge — McKinney North High School (Second Runner Up)
MISD Elementary Campus Teachers of the Year
Emily Peek — Bennett Elementary
Tonya Hinkebein — Burks Elementary
Katherine Campos — Caldwell Elementary (First Runner Up)
Janna Park — Eddins Elementary
Kelly Warrington — Finch Elementary
Jennifer McConahey — Glen Oaks Elementary
Amanda Herrera — Reuben Johnson Elementary
Zulema Lujan Flores — Lawson Early Childhood School (MISD Elementary Teacher of the Year)
LaTasha Harris — Malvern Elementary
Crystal Bayley — McClure Elementary (Second Runner Up)
Penney Bell — McGowen Elementary
Tiffany Dudley — McNeil Elementary
Melissa Rushing — Minshew Elementary
Donna Campbell — Press Elementary
Chris Walker — Slaughter Elementary
Shannon Biggs — Valley Creek Elementary
Bambi Castro — Vega Elementary
Summer Lindsay — Walker Elementary
Kylea Leavell — Webb Elementary
Sheryl Baker — Wilmeth Elementary
Jennifer Entrekin — Wolford Elementary
MISD Secondary Campus Teachers of the Year
Lauren Scott — Cockrill Middle School
Karen Ferrito — Dowell Middle School (First Runner Up)
Angie Stadler — Evans Middle School
Melissa Willardson — Faubion Middle School
Stephanie McPherson — Scott Johnson Middle School
Paige Rogers — McKinney Boyd High School
Anna Feng — McKinney High School (MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year)
Conor Runge — McKinney North High School (Second Runner Up)
Benita Badje — County Residential Center (CRC)
Jamillah Jackson — District Alternative Education Program (DAEP)
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