Katy ISD Announces 2008 Outstanding First-Year Teachers

Brenda Pérez, a second grade teacher at Fielder Elementary, and Deanna Nomey, a ninth grade English teacher at Morton Ranch High School, have been selected as Katy ISD’s 2008 Outstanding First-Year Teachers. Pérez and Nomey, selected out of a group of 12 finalists, were honored at a school board meeting and reception in April, along with Katy ISD’s campus Teachers of the Year.

“Each of the 12 teachers considered for Outstanding First-Year Teacher represent the high caliber of teachers who choose to start their teaching careers here in Katy ISD,” said Alton Frailey, superintendent of schools.  “We are honored to recognize the special efforts of these two teachers this year.”

Pérez is known for moving a hundred miles a minute, pushing and exhorting her students to challenge themselves.  She teaches a self-contained second grade bilingual class, and works extra hard to accommodate all levels of learners in her class. She believes that as a teacher, it is her role to facilitate meaningful experiences that promote learning at any developmental stage in a child’s life.

“On a daily basis, Mrs. Pérez deals with providing her students with appropriate materials in Spanish, as well as working by herself to provide her students with the same opportunities as monolingual classes,” said Fielder Elementary Principal, Mark Vigario.  “She gives her students what they most desire and need – time, compassion, and a strong educational program.”

Her academic motivation has proven successful with her students, however, her biggest reward in teaching this year has been found in providing a safe and secure environment for the children in her classroom. 

“It was the teachers that I had worked with previously in my life, who proved to me that every child could learn if provided with the appropriate nurture, love and patience,” said Pérez.

Deanna Nomey has spent the first year of her education career teaching English to approximately 125 tenth grade students at Morton Ranch High School.

She is known for teaching outside of the box in order to bring the material to life in her classroom.

According to Morton Ranch High School Principal, Joe Cammarata, Deanna is a “dynamic, talented and caring teacher who has completely ignited the imaginations of both her students and her colleagues.”

Nomey is already emerging as a leader in the Morton Ranch community and has infected the campus with her enthusiasm. Providing many fresh ideas to her department, she focuses her efforts on making learning applicable and fun for her students through the creation of an entire unit centered around a new book as well as her extensive philosophy on re-teaching.

“She is not afraid to try something new as long as it benefits her students,” said Cammarata. 

Nomey believes that education is about shaping students into productive and responsible citizens, which involves teaching them to care about something more than material things.  While she truly strives to produce this within her students, she admits that her students have actually taught her more this year than she ever could have imagined.

“The rewards I get from my students are endless and I am so grateful,” said Nomey.