DALLAS—The finalists for Dallas ISD’s 2013 Teacher Assistant of the Year were recently announced by the district. Five teacher assistants have made it to the final round and the winner will be announced May 14 at an event sponsored by Central Market. The finalists are:
Rose Davidson, a teacher assistant at Dallas Environmental Science Academy, focuses on students as well as parents as she tries to increase engagement between parents and teachers.She has worked in the education field for five years.Nancy Gonzales serves as a teacher assistant at Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center,where she strives to provide a supportive learning environment for each student. Gonzales has spent nine years working in education.
Teacher assistant Betty Martinez from Seagoville Elementary School has worked with students for 21 years and says she still enjoys learning new ways to help students succeed. In her effort to continue learning, she takes the time to work through the second- and third-grade curriculum so she is familiar with what her students are expected to learn.Cynthia Nagy has served for 34 years as a teacher assistant at Stonewall Jackson Elementary School where she is an integral part of the school’s deaf education program.Through her work, she maintains a strong relationship with the students and their parents and conducts workshops on deaf culture and sensitivity awareness.
Charles A. Gill Elementary School teacher assistant Michelle Thomas has spent the last seven years working in Dallas ISD classrooms where she supports student success by collaborating with the teacher to reinforce each learning objective.
 Finalists are selected by a committee of educators, community partners, parents and others.
The winner will be named May 14 at a reception and dinner sponsored by Central Market
