May 6, 2022 – The Amarillo ISD 2022 Teacher of the Year is Tiffany Ryals and Secondary Teacher of the Year is Rhonda Obenhaus. The honorees were announced at the annual Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year Breakfast, sponsored by Education Credit Union.
Ryals teaches third grade at Humphrey’s Highland Elementary, Obenhaus teaches advanced culinary arts in the School of Culinary Arts at AmTech Career Academy.
Campus teachers of the year were accompanied by their school administration to the breakfast. Teachers recognized received a glass block and poster symbolic of their accomplishment at the campus level. Both of Amarillo ISD’s district teachers of the year will compete for Region 16 Teacher of the Year.
2020-2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year Gayla Martin and 2020-2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year Heather Blythe-Yaws spoke about sticking it out through the hard times because teaching is a calling and teachers have the unique privilege and responsibility of teaching all professions.
The naming of the district teachers of the year caps off National PTA’s Teacher Appreciation Week. In communications to AISD’s 2300 teachers this week, Superintendent Doug Loomis commended their dedication. “I'm grateful for our teachers who are in the halls and classrooms of our 55 campuses every day. You are indeed the face and the heart of our district. During this special week, I think about the dedication and love for the profession that it takes to be a teacher in our world today,” he said.
Amarillo ISD 2021Teacher of the Year finalists:
Elementary Division:
- Jennifer Hill – Belmar
- Amy Worsham – Olsen Park
- Tiffany Ryals – Humphrey's Highland
Secondary Division:
- Caitlyn Taylor – North Heights Alternative School
- Mary Perez – Palo Duro High School
- Rhonda Obenhaus – AmTech Career Academy
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