ISABELLA MORA & ANN ACCAS

“As educators, it is our responsibility to recognize and nurture the potential of all students,” Mora said. “To this end, I work tirelessly to provide my students with opportunities to participate in field trips, eat lunch with their peers, and play freely at recess. I believe that by creating these opportunities, I can foster a supportive and inclusive environment where every student feels seen and valued.”

Ann Accas has 24 years of experience teaching fine arts, serving the past 17 years in Keller ISD. She is earning her principal certification, participates in the Keller ISD Leadership Development Academy, and serves as the Professional Development facilitator and lead teacher at the Keller Compass Center. In addition, Accas created a program to support students passing their end-of-course exams, finally clearing the last obstacle standing in the way of graduating. Her message as the Teacher of the Year is to encourage educators to slow down despite all the pressure and take the necessary moments to build lasting relationships with students.

“As a fine arts educator, the connection between content and life application is unparalleled,” Accas said. “We have the amazing opportunity to bridge the gap life has created and replace it with valuable lessons to help students navigate through life. Problem-solving, self awareness, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, time management, receptiveness to criticism, and relationship management are all skills taught in fine arts classes.”