ESC Region 12 is pleased to recognize extraordinary educators from Central Texas. The 2011 Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year (TOTY) is Billie Diaz of Copperas Cove ISD.

Region 12 2011 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Billie Diaz
Copperas Cove ISD

Billie Diaz has served as an educator for seven years and has spent the last three at Martin Walker Elementary teaching third grade inclusion classes. Prior to teaching, Diaz worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. By interacting with many offenders who never finished their education, she was inspired to become a teacher that students would remember. She is a model to her peers as she continuously strives to improve herself and provide examples of good character, responsible citizenship, and educational excellence.

Diaz earned her degree from Bellevue University, and has continued to extend her education and leadership beyond the classroom. She has served as the Martin Walker third grade chair and PTA member for five years, is the 3-Tier Leadership Team facilitator, an interventionist for math and reading, and a mentor for the Ready, Set, Teach program. Diaz has also received the Applebee’s Teacher of the Month award on four occasions.

About the Texas Teacher of the Year Program (TOTY)
Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher. Conducted by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Forty teachers - two from each Regional Education Service Center - are eligible for two titles, Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year and Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. Additional program information is available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/awards/toy/.         

About ESC Region 12
One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, the Education Service Center Region 12 (ESC Region 12) is dedicated to serving school districts, charter schools and area private/parochial schools in improving student performance. ESC Region 12 partners with school districts to deliver services and solutions to educators so they may help all children be successful. Based in Waco, with satellite offices in Corsicana, Hamilton, Nolanville, and Teague, the ESC Region 12’s service area includes Bell, Bosque, Coryell, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Lampasas, Limestone, McLennan, Mills, and Navarro counties.