Photo courtesy of the Garland branch of the NAACP.
South Garland High School Assistant Principal Kimberly Thomas recently received an award 18 years in the making. The Garland branch of the NAACP named Thomas the Educator of the Year.
“I feel extremely honored to hold this prestigious title,” said Thomas. “It is the biggest award that I’ve received in all my years of education.”
Beginning her career in 1995 at Dallas ISD, Thomas taught Algebra I and II for 10 years. She then joined GISD in 2005 as a teacher at Sachse High School before becoming an administrator at SGHS one year later. Though Thomas is no longer in the classroom, she has not lost her passion for teaching. In addition to her day job, she also instructs an online Algebra class at the University of Phoenix.
“I just love math,” Thomas said. “I did not want to lose that passion because I was no longer in the classroom.”
Keeping her fire for education alive, Thomas also remains passionate about her students.
“They are the reason I am here,” she said. “I want to make sure they graduate from high school and have a successful future. I always tell the kids that the biggest gift they can give me is to come back several years after graduating to show me successful they have become.”
Thomas received her Educator of the Year award at the NAACP Garland’s Freedom Fund brunch Sept. 14. President Ricky McNeal recognized her with a commemorative trophy
