Almanza, Ellison Named Teachers of the Year

Story and photos by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Norma Almanza and Amanda Ellison were named as Los Fresnos CISD Teachers of the Year to highlight the annual Employee Awards Banquet Friday, May 5th,  at the Los Fresnos United Dome.

Almanza, a third-grade teacher at Los Fresnos Elementary School, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. Ellison, a special education teacher at Los Fresnos United, was named Secondary Teacher of the Year.

They are nominated to participate in the Region One Teacher of the Year program.

The other 12 campus Teachers of the Year were also recognized. They include:

• Las Yescas Elementary: Victoria Valdez
• Laureles Elementary: Geronimo Martinez
• Lopez-Riggins Elementary: Deanna Bode
• Olmito Elementary: Graciela Rubio
• Palmer-Laakso Elementary: Elisa Garza
• Rancho Verde Elementary: Sandra Zuniga
• Dora Romero Elementary: Blanca Ordaz Molina
• Villareal Elementary: Janie Calvillo
• Liberty Memorial Middle School: Denjuami Barker
• Los Cuates Middle School: Kristina Cranick
• Resaca Middle School: Tania Caballero
• Los Fresnos High School: Lonnie Martinez

The 2016-17 Teacher of the Year video can be viewed here.

Also recognized were:

• Paraprofessional and Manual Trade Employees of the Year from each school/office
• Service awards for employees who have reached 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 years of service
• Teachers and other adults chosen by students ranked in the top 10 of the Class of 2017, along with representatives of the English as a Second Language and Special Education programs

► MORE PHOTOS AT www.flickr.com/photos/losfresnos/sets/