San Angelo ISD is proud to announce Denise O’Dell as this year's district Elementary Teacher of the Year and Eloisa Griffin as this year’s district Secondary Teacher of the Year! Ms. O’Dell teaches 5th grade at Santa Rita Elementary and Ms. Griffin teaches English for speakers of other languages at Lincoln Middle School. 

Twenty-five of our San Angelo ISD teachers were nominated by their peers and recognized April 19 at the 2023-2024 District Celebration for their outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching the children of San Angelo. Prior to the District Celebration, a panel of judges from Concho Educators Federal Credit Union reviewed applicants nominated from each campus and chose Ms. Griffin and Ms. O’Dell as our district Teachers of the Year. The district Teachers of the Year were kept a secret until announced at the District Celebration. 

“Each of the campus winners is deserving of the recognition,” said Dr. Farrah Gomez, Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. “These teachers embody excellence, inspire students and colleagues with their passion, dedication, and innovative teaching styles. Their impact reaches far beyond the classroom, shaping the future through their commitment to nurturing knowledge and fostering a love of learning. We are grateful they choose to share their gifts and talents with the students and families in SAISD.”

Ms. Griffin and Ms. O’Dell both exemplify the characteristics within our SAISD Educator Profile through their commitment to providing their students with an inspiring educational experience which prepares their students to be future-ready, whatever that future may be. 

Ms. Griffin’s colleagues had the following to say about her in the Teacher of the Year nomination: “Mrs. Griffin is a true relationship builder with students and teachers. She is always ready to go above and beyond for her students … She is in constant communication with parents, even after hours. Our parents love her and feel comfortable communicating with her. I have heard a student, past or present, speak nothing but positive words about Mrs. Griffin. She's that type of teacher you would want in every classroom … Her role is beyond just being a classroom teacher. She is a Game Changer.” 

Ms. O’Dell’s colleagues had the following to say in her Teacher of the Year nomination: “Denise gives of her time endlessly. She is very involved within our campus, not because she cares so much … One of Denise’s biggest assets is that she builds skills from the ground up … Her ability to incorporate creative strategies in her lessons allows her students to demonstrate success and want to persevere with the extended problem solving opportunities …She is also extremely kind and genuinely cares about her colleagues and her students. She is always joyful when she talks about her students. She is masterful when it comes to her persistence to break through with even the toughest students. She finds ways to celebrate even the smallest successes which makes a big impact on those students she reaches. She has their best interest at heart.”

Ms. Griffin and Ms. O’Dell will now compete for the Region 15 Teacher of the Year. The winner of the Region 15 Teacher of the Year will then be nominated for the Texas Teacher of the Year award. We wish Ms. Griffin and Ms. O’Dell the best and are proud and honored by their service to the students of San Angelo and San Angelo ISD. Last year’s San Angelo ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, Veronica Stapper, went on to compete and received Region 15 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Read more here.

Thank you to Concho Educators Federal Credit Union President Jerry Merrill and Vice President/CFO Kathy Gonzales for your support of our Teachers of the Year and the donation of the engraved award provided to each District winner. 

SAISD Campus Teachers of the Year include:

Ashley Halfmann, Alta Loma Elementary Norma Sifuentes, Austin Elementary Amber Jones, Belaire Elementary Pam Hill, Bonham Elementary Ashley Wilson, Bowie Elementary Loretta Weaver, Bradford Elementary Gwendolyn Smith, Carver Learning Center Patricia Scott, Central High School Melissa Karschner, Crockett Elementary Jacqueline Garcia-Roiz, Fannin Elementary Gaye Lisa Sanchez, Fort Concho Elementary Todd Darin Nelson, Glenmore Elementary Timothy Ryan Pickles, Glenn Middle School Corina Torres, Goliad Elementary Brittney Johnson, Holiman Elementary Jonathan Gonzales, Lake View High School Cassandra Roman, Lamar Elementary Eloisa Griffin, Lincoln Middle School Jenny Smith, Lone Star Middle School Stacy Stephenson, McGill Elementary Craig Horner, PAYS Katrina Acosta, Reagan Elementary Clarissa Bowers, Sam Houston/Special Programs Candice Giroir, San Jacinto Elementary

Denise O’Dell, Santa Rita Elementary

Congratulations to our campus Teacher of the Year and our District Teacher of the Year winners for all you do to make an impact on our students. Our people truly make the difference. To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.