More than 160 Northside ISD teachers were deemed “Simply the Best” at the District’s Educator of the Year celebrations, held March 12 and 13 during Texas Public Schools Week.

Each year, each Northside campus nominates a first-year educator of the year and a veteran educator of the year, who are recognized by the Superintendent and the Board of Trustees during a special ceremony.

The ceremony has been dubbed “Simply the Best,” and the campus winners enter the Warren High School auditorium parade-style to Tina Turner’s famous song by the same name.

Because of the popularity and high attendance, this year, for the first time, the “Simply the Best” event was split into two nights to accommodate all honorees and their guests. The Elementary Educator of the Year ceremony was held March 13, and secondary educators were honored March 12.

“This is one of my favorite events each year because we honor teachers who quietly go above and beyond the call of duty every single day, not because they want to win an award but because they are dedicated to their students,” Superintendent John Folks said.

The highlight of each ceremony was the announcement of the district wide Educators of the Year and Northside’s nominee for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching.

In addition to receiving engraved plaques, first year awardees received checks for $250, and the veteran teachers and Trinity nominee received $500 checks.

A panel of NISD educators selected the districtwide winners from the pool of campus educators of the year.

The 2008 Northside Educators of the Year are:

- Adam Bock, Wanke Elementary School

- Wanda Longoria, Stevenson Middle School

- Linda Fleetwood, Marshall High School

The 2008 Northside First Year Educators of the Year are:

- Linsay Cuthbert, May Elementary School

- Erin Coughlin, Hobby Middle School

- Pamela Zablocki, Warren High School

In addition, Jay High School’s Calvin Buchholtz Jr. was named the nominee for the 2008 Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching.