Royal ISD is pleased to announce the recipients from the first annual Royal ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet. Educators are vital to our future, and we cannot thank you enough for all you do for Royal ISD.
Click here to view the event program.
Years of Service Awards
Transportation, 25 years: Transportation Driver Manager Steve Hendricks
Royal High School, 20 years: Life Skills Aide Portia Abanathy
Campus Spirit Awards
Royal Early Childhood Center: Pre-K bilingual teacher aide Ana Cruz. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Ana stated, “Since the very first day I started to work for Royal, I knew I would fall in love with my job. I believe that our students are the future of our community and that every student deserves to have high quality education. I feel proud to be part of the Royal community and to be able to make a positive impact in our community as well as in our student's lives by helping them to achieve their academic goals and to be successful. I come to work every day willing to help our students in every way possible and to make sure they know how important they are and that with effort and patience they can achieve everything they want. Their love and kindness melt my heart every day and as long as I have the opportunity, I will inspire them to believe in themselves and to love what they do. I will also make sure they know they have the power to make their own decisions and to do what is right.
Royal Elementary School: Life Skills educator Jeral Tatum-Hill. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Jeral stated, “My greatest joy in life is being a mother and a grandmother. Although our students are not our biological children, they are mine when I am at work. I invest in my tomorrow by teaching with kindness. Every day, I show kindness, respect others’ differences, and always with a smile on my face! My piece of advice is to never stop learning and to always show kindness, even to those who do not look like you. Kindness is priceless.”
Royal Junior High:8th grade science teacher Lorena Hernandez. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Lorena stated, “I teach to touch the life of at least one student. I invest in our tomorrow by investing my time and love to our students at Royal Junior High. My advice would be that you are in control, you have a choice, you choose your own path. Do what’s best for YOU.”
Royal High School: Counselors’ Secretary Priscilla Alegria. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Priscilla stated, “It brings me great joy working with students each day and helping them plan for their future. Seeing the excitement on a student's face when they are accepted into college, earn the score they wanted on the SAT, or even when they pass a class. I know they see the value in their accomplishments. Knowing the small role I play in each student's educational journey is what makes me love my job and keeps me motivated each day. My investment for tomorrow is I am going back to college as a mom of three with a full-time job, I now fully understand the value of post-secondary education. I want to help students reach their full potential and set goals for themselves. My advice to the students is not to give up or give in, it doesn't matter their age.
Royal STEM Academy: Team member Skyler Webb. Skyler fulfills technology and library needs and helps with other assigned duties. When asked why he works in education and for advice he would like to give to his students, Skyler stated, “My “why” is pretty simple. I am here for the good things; for the little things. I strive to make a positive impact on everyone I meet on a daily basis. From greeting students and their parents in the bus- and car-rider lines in the morning, to my bus monitoring duty in the afternoons taking the students home, and every class and duty station in between I try to be positive and kind. I try to remind myself that many students will try to emulate the things that they see, so I try to be a good example for them. Whenever my students leave from the library or classroom I am in with them, and even the lunch room, I always send them off with the same launch statement because it is some of the best advice that I have to give. I tell them, “Have a good day, make good choices, and be kind to each other.”
Royal District Alternate Education Program (DAEP): Campus Secretary Andrea Glover. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Andrea stated, “My “Why “as to why do I teach is innate. Meaning that this gift is inherent, inborn and natural. I am “wired” to show empathy/compassion and patience with others. I enjoy building relationships, my skills in communication and listening are strong. I desire to empower individuals by means of “self-positive talk” ...helping struggling youngsters find their way. I invest in our tomorrow by investing in myself. I invest in my “Health” I invest in my “Healing” and I invest in my “Wholeness”....If I am a better me then you can become (and will be) a better you. My advice is to PERSEVERE...You are stronger than you think.”
Region 4 Principal Recognition Honorees
Each year, Region 4 announces Principal Recognition Honorees. District administrators select honorees based on several criteria, including a multitude of attributes that contribute to staff and student success.
Royal Early Childhood Principal Natasha Moses
STEM Academy Principal Phylicia Glover
Retirees
Royal Early Childhood Center Self-Contained Bilingual Teacher Luz Diaz, 10 years of service. When asked why she works in education and for advice she would like to give to her students, Luz stated, “My "why" is always student growth, not only teaching a curriculum. It is nurturing the child, building relationships, and helping the students to reach excellence. My advice for my students is to be your best advocate. Always stand for your thoughts, look for opportunities that can enrich your future and apply everything you learn at school in your daily life.”
Royal Groundskeeper Ervin Paben, 13 years of service.
Royal Human Resources Director Debbie Ulrich, 13 years of service.
Royal High School Biology Teacher (plus an infinite number of other hats and a never-ending supply of energy and love) Dawn Richardson, 28 years of service.
Teachers of the Year
Royal Early Childhood Center: Mabely Lituma
Royal Elementary School: Sandra Padilla
Royal Junior High School: Bobbie Karnes-Novicke
Royal High School: Robert Rogers
Royal STEM Academy: Daisy Jara
Event Sponsors
Royal thanks each of our sponsors for their support of Royal ISD and Texas public schools, which remain the best choice for educating our children. This event would not have been possible without their assistance. Royal Education Foundation is our Visionary sponsor, with a donation of $1000. Leader sponsors Allegiance Bank, Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, and Frost Bank each donated $500. Champion sponsors The Katy Times and The Roof Depot each donated $250. Gift items were provided by several organizations. Adriatic Café provided food items, Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union provided $50 gift cards and wallets for our Teachers of the Year, and the West-I-10 Chamber of Commerce provided $50 gift cards for our Spirit Award winners. The Katy Times published a full page ad dedicated to our award recipients, along with a copy of the issue for all event attendees. Pulte Group provided desserts for the event.
Is your business or organization interested in partnering with Royal to sponsor future events or to assist with our educational programs? Send an email to communications@royal-isd.net to inquire about upcoming opportunities.