ESC Region 12 is pleased to recognize extraordinary educators from Central Texas. The 2012 Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year (TOTY) is Jane Apodaca of Bellaire Elementary in Killeen ISD

Region 12 2012 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Jane Apodaca
Killeen ISD

Jane Apodaca, Elementary Teacher of the Year, has worked in education for seven years, serving as a teacher for the last six and as an instructional aide during her first year with Killeen ISD. For the past three years, she has taught fourth-grade science at Bellaire Elementary. Prior to her current position, she taught all subjects at the second-grade level at Bellaire. She also taught for one year at Memorial Christian Academy.

Apodaca worked in Human Resources before deciding to become a teacher. She says that what began as a calling has developed into her life’s passion. Apodaca believes it is her responsibility to instill the love of learning and unstoppable curiosity within her students and help them to become “difference makers” in their world. She keeps her students engaged with hands-on learning and challenges them to work together to solve problems.

The Killeen ISD elementary teacher has received numerous awards and recognition, and was most recently named 2011 District Elementary and Campus Elementary (Bellaire) Teacher of the Year. She also was recognized as an outstanding first year teacher in 2006.

Apodaca is a proven leader. As a district CSCOPE Teacher Leader for the last two years, she has provided more than 30 hours of training for teachers in designing lesson activities and assessment within CSCOPE, the district’s curriculum management system. Apodaca also has served as campus webmaster and grade-level leader for Bellaire for the last two years. In addition, she has lead training on integrating technology into the classroom.

Apodaca earned her master’s in educational administration from Lamar University and her bachelor’s in international studies from Northern Kentucky University. She obtained her teacher certification from Tarleton State University. She is a member of the ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) and the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE).

Apodaca enjoys volunteering and serves as a Sunday school kindergarten teacher and as a volunteer for the Body of Christ Clinic in Belton and the American Councils for International Education. She also has participated in two construction mission trips to Mexico. Just this past year, she and her husband became host parents to two high school foreign exchange students.

Apodaca resides in Salado with her husband Michael. She has three children and two grandchildren.

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.