Fabens High School Teacher A Finalist For Texas Teacher Of The Year

AUSTIN, Texas — An English teacher at Fabens High School was among six educators named as finalists in the Texas Teacher of the Year program, the Texas Education Agency announced Wednesday.

Christine Gleason will now compete with two other finalists for the honor of Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year.

In a news release, Gleason wrote the following about her teaching style: “I am a teacher and can relate any piece of literature to teenage life in under 50 minutes. I do it with laughter, poise and integrity. Most importantly, though, I talk to my students. They know I genuinely care about them and their issues.”

Gleason was selected from among 40 regional Teachers of the Year.

She is now invited to Austin for interviews before a larger judging panel, which will determine the top elementary and secondary teacher. The panel will also select an educator to be considered for National Teacher of the Year honors.

Each regional winner will receive a $500 check and a trophy, and the top two teachers will receive a $5,000 cash prize, a technology package valued at more than $15,000 and a trophy, TEA officials said.