Written by Emily Davis, Dallas Education Foundation
All six of the Teacher of the Year finalists for the 2024-2025 school year recently received $1,000 to be used in the classroom.
Made possible by Human Capital Management, Dallas Education Foundation, and Orangetheory Fitness/Maverick Fitness Holdings, the checks were delivered during surprise visits before the end of the school year.
“Our teachers are the heartbeat of student success,” said Robert Abel, chief of HCM. “We are proud to partner with DEF and Orangetheory Fitness to celebrate the incredible work these educators do every day.”
The honorees are:
- Smriti Adhikary, Margaret B. Henderson Elementary School
- Tracy Scott, W. E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy
- George Hardeman, Louise Wolff Kahn Elementary School
- Yvonne Morgan, School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
- Rachael (Reed) Esquivel, Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship Academy at James W. Fannin
- Monica Robinson, Robert T. Hill Middle School
“Having DEF serve and recognize the Dallas ISD teacher community brings me an overwhelming sense of gratitude,” Robinson said. “Just knowing that the public cares enough to invest in our classrooms leaves me with a phenomenal feeling that I’m not doing this alone.”
The initiative highlights DEF’s ongoing commitment to partnering with the community to celebrate Dallas ISD educators and support their continued success.
“This effort is part of a collaboration with Maverick Fitness Holdings to uplift our educators and ensure they have the tools they need to thrive,” stated Mita Havlick, Executive Director of Dallas Education Foundation. “Through meaningful partnerships like this, DEF continues to advance its mission of accelerating student success in Dallas ISD.”
