Dishman educator surprised with regional award

Region 5 has named Beaumont ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Cheryl Spangler as the Region 5 Education Service Center Teacher of the Year for the Elementary Division, surprising the educator with the help of BISD official on Aug. 14.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shannon Allen, Associate Superintendent of Elementary Administration Dr. Anita Frank, and Dishman Elementary School Principal Audrey Collins led the procession of celebration to Spangler’s 5th grade classroom at Dishman.

“I was not expecting it,” Spangler said outside her classroom when learning of the honor. “I saw everybody in the hall and I first thought it was a ‘fifth grade thing’ and then I realized it was in my room and I think I had to hear Dr. Allen say it twice before I realized what it was; ‘Did you say Region Teacher of the Year?’”

Spangler was honored as Beaumont ISD Elementary Division Teacher of the Year at the District’s Teacher of the Year Celebration of Excellence Gala on May 5 at the Beaumont Civic Center.

As the Region 5 Teacher of the Year, Spangler will now be considered for statewide honors. The State Teacher of the Year is scheduled to be named in October.

The state program is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators, who maintain that the Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher.

“The passion (Spangler) has for kids shows each and every day she’s with the kids, so this award is very well-deserved for her,” said Collins.

Spangler will be recognized at the next Beaumont ISD school board meeting, Thursday, Aug. 17, at 6 p.m. at the District Administration Building. Spangler began her teaching career in 2000 and has spent 23 years at Dishman Elementary, most recently dedicated to fifth grade Science.

She is a graduate of Lamar University and received her certifications in Elementary Reading (Grades 1-8) and Elementary Self Contained (Grades 1-8), as well as Master Math Teacher (EC-4).