2023 Campus Teacher of The Year

MICHELE JOHNSON Kindergarten Teacher, Howard Early Childhood Center

Michele Johnson joined Alamo Heights ISD in 2006 and has been teaching since 1992. She considers herself lucky “to work in a place completely centered around the education of tiny humans.”

CHARLEY GILBERT Special Education Teacher and Coach, Alamo Heights Junior School

Charley Gilbert was first hired as a paraprofessional at the Junior School in 2017 and became a classroom teacher in 2018.

COURTNEY CRANE Fourth Grade Teacher, Cambridge Elementary

Courtney Crane has been with AHISD since 2018 and began her teaching career in 2011. She is currently seeking her National Board Certification. Teaching fourth grade is a full circle moment for Crane, as it was her fourth grade teacher who inspired her to become a teacher.

FELICIA PENDLETON Special Education Teacher, Woodridge Elementary

Felicia Pendleton joined AHISD in 2018 and began her teaching career in Wisconsin in 2010. She says she continues to be astonished at what her students teach her. She guides students to take educational risks that they don’t always think are possible.

BENJAMIN KEENAN English Language Arts Teacher and Department Chair, Alamo Heights High School

Benjamin Keenan has been teaching in AHISD since 2008 and started his teaching career in 2006.

“My contribution is that I do my best to steer us away from pitfalls of numbers, weight, GPA, rank, etc. and towards purpose, mastery, rubric language and above all a separation of the product of the student and the student themselves. I continue to love my job and love the opportunity to work with students to achieve their goals.”

Ben Keenan also represents Alamo Heights ISD as the 2023 District Teacher of the Year.

Best In Texas

Woodridge Elementary fifth grade teacher Lisa Barry is a state finalist in the 2023 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

The surprise announcement was made Feb. 22 by H-E-B representatives, Dr. Bashara, and other District leaders.

Barry is one of five finalists in the “Lifetime Achievement- Elementary” category which recognizes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. She received a $1,000 check for herself and a $1,000 grant for her school.

State finalists will be interviewed and grand prize winners announced April 29 and 30 in San Antonio. The winner in the Lifetime Achievement category will receive $25,000 for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

Nominations were submitted earlier this year by H-E-B customers, employees, and community members and a team of judges narrowed the field to the finalists. The program has awarded more than $12 million in cash and grants to Texas teachers and schools since 2002.