2023 AHISD Teacher of the Year

2023 AHISD Teacher of the Year
Posted on 01/20/2023
Teacher of the Year Ben Keenan with Principal Cory SmithBenjamin Keenan, English Language Arts teacher and department chair at Alamo Height HS, is the 2023 Alamo Heights ISD Teacher of the Year.

Keenan has been teaching in AHISD since 2008 and started his teaching career in 2006.

“My contribution is that I do my best to steer us away from pitfalls of numbers, weight, GPA, rank, etc. and towards purpose, mastery, rubric language and above all a separation of the product of the student and the student themselves,” Keenan said. “I continue to love my job and love the opportunity to work with students to achieve their goals. I am grateful to the day of small things and the day of immense hope. And of course I am grateful to those outstanding colleagues that continue to show up to serve in a truly vital capacity.”

Keenan will represent AHISD as the district’s nominee for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Education and Region 20 Teacher of the Year.

“He prioritizes creating a learner-centered classroom environment, empowering his students to take ownership of their learning and collaborate with each other, promoting a strong sense of community and a global perspective,” said Cory Smith, AHHS Principal. “His students often comment that there is “never a bad day in his class” and how they “enjoy interactive and high levels of discussion and thinking,” they appreciate his quick wittedness and the climate of high expectations he sets for all students.”

In November, each campus hosted a Teacher of the Year nomination process and selected one teacher who exemplifies the Profile of a Learner to represent their campus this year. A Selection Committee of AHISD teachers and staff met in January to select the District Teacher of the Year.

All five campus teachers of the year were recognized at the January 19 Board 2023 Campus Teachers of the YearMeeting, where the District Teacher of the Year was announced. Visit the AHISD Facebook page to watch the announcement.

The 2023 Campus Teachers of the Year are:

Alamo Heights HS - Ben Keenan, ELAR teacher and department chair

Junior School - John “Charley” Gilbert, Student Support Team (SST) Teacher and Coach

Cambridge - Courtney Crane, 4th grade teacher

Woodridge - Felicia Pendleton, Special Education Resource and Class Support Teacher

Howard ECC- Michele Johnson, Kindergarten teacher


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