money Gregory-Portland ISD holds annual Teachers of the Year ceremony
PORTLAND — Gregory-Portland ISD held its annual Teachers of the Year ceremony at Portland's Community Center Wednesday, naming six winners from each campus and one elementary and secondary winner to represent the district.
The honorees were Magen Altieri of T. M. Clark Elementary, Maria "Inez" Enriquez of W. C. Andrews Elementary, Anna Jimenez of Stephen F. Austin Elementary, Nancy Vitt of East Cliff Elementary, Dawn Uptergrove of Gregory-Portland Middle School and Richard Ouellette of Gregory-Portland High School.
Superintendent Michelle Cavazos opened the ceremony and said all the teachers are heroes because they are changing lives and helping the community grow stronger than ever.
"The teaching profession is unlike any other highly skilled profession and requires a specific combination of intelligence, service, adaptability, self-giving and the ability to love and serve children," Cavazos said. "All of you that I've met here in the district really do have a heart for our children and each other."
Cavazos had each school's principals come on stage to introduce each teacher winning their award. A short video played for each teacher with footage including interviews with them, their principals and students.
After all six educators received their red crystal apple awards, Cavazos announced the two winners to receive the title of District Teachers of the Year. Enriquez and Uptergrove were the lucky pair.
Uptergrove said she is honored and will be in shock for the next few days.
"This just makes me proud of my district and co-workers," Uptergrove said. "It means the world to me. This award should give other teachers a boost of confidence that they can do the best they can to help better our future leaders."
With tears in her eyes, Enriquez said she is grateful to receive the award but she did not become a teacher to receive trophies.
"We all work so hard every day," Enriquez said. "I wake up every day and do what I can for my kids. I enjoy what I do and love them so much."
Enriquez said she thinks all teachers should be Teacher of the Year because she hasn't met one educator who isn't hardworking.
"People are looking at what we're doing and we are appreciated for it," Enriquez said. "A lot of times we might be at the end of our rope, but this award shows someone sees me and what I'm doing. That's worth it."
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John Oliva covers education and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva. Consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: G-PISD names Teachers of the Year at annual ceremony
