Here’s why these 2 are teacher, support person of the year in Harris County School District
The Harris County School District has announced its top teacher and support person for 2021.
New Mountain Hill Elementary School second-grade teacher Jessica Burns is HCSD’s teacher of the year, and Mulberry Creek Elementary School fourth-grade paraprofessional Shannon Cotton is the district’s support person of the year.
Burns has taught at New Mountain Hill for the past four years. She previously taught for four years at Holly Springs Elementary School in Cherokee County.
When her name was announced as the winner, Burns told the Ledger-Enquirer in an email, “I was completely shocked. . . . Harris County is filled with elite and exceptional educators. So to be recognized as one of them was such an honor and a humbling experience that I will never forget.”
New Mountain Hill Principal Mark Gilreath said Burns enhances her instruction with STEAM concepts. STEAM is the acronym for science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
STEAM-based instruction uses that approach in all subject areas to improve students’ critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
“She is passionate, enthusiastic, innovative, organized and efficient when it comes to teaching,” he said in the district’s news release. “Students enjoy her classroom, and they are constantly engaged throughout her lessons.”
Burns also contributes to New Mountain Hill in several leadership roles.
She chairs her grade level and the STEAM competition, coordinates the STEAM club, co-chairs the Multi-Tiered System of Support, which provides academic and behavioral strategies to help students, and is a member of the local school council and STEAM committee.
Gilreath said Burns “enjoys having a positive and meaningful impact on students, and she is willing to do whatever it takes daily to make sure that happens. We are so thankful that she is making that impact within our Harris County community.”
Outstanding support person
Cotton was a substitute teacher after having two children attend Mulberry Creek. For the past six years, she has been a paraprofessional, which is a teacher’s aide.
Receiving this award, Cotton told the L-E an an email it “was an incredible feeling. I love to go home every day knowing that I made a difference in a child’s life, whether it be academically or emotionally. My heart is filled every day by helping people who need me. It’s the best feeling.”
Mulberry Creek Principal Amy Allen said Cotton is an asset in the classroom and beyond.
“She is very involved with their STEAM projects,” Allen said in the news release. “She’s very proactive to help anyone — adults and children — across the school.”
Allen noted nominations for Cotton described her as a smiling and positive person.
“We are so happy to have her on our team and for her to be recognized for all that she does for our MCE family,” Allen said.
The district’s selection panel comprises former HCSD teachers of the year. Here are the nominees from each school, listing the teacher’s name first, followed by the support person nominee:
- Harris County High School: Kathy Bolar and Connie Wright
- Harris County Carver Middle School: Kimberly Acosta and Cynthia Silvers
- Creekside Intermediate School: Tammela Fulleton and Lora Carter
- Mulberry Creek Elementary School: Alicia Lisle and Shannon Cotton
- New Mountain Hill Elementary School: Jessica Burns and Lori Jodts
- Park Elementary School: Katrina McClung and Sharon Thompson
- Pine Ridge Elementary School: Paige Dunn and Tammy Patterson.
This story was originally published November 3, 2021 at 12:02 PM.
