 Linda Nix of Ben Barber Career Tech Academy was awarded the Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Award on Thursday, February 21. District Superintendent Vernon Newsom surprised Nix with the award, a shirt and a cookie bouquet in front of a group of staff and students.
According to nominations, Nix is a well-loved and inspiring instructor at the district's career and technology campus. It is no secret among the staff at the campus and within the district that Nix battles stage 3 ovarian cancer. She has undergone many rounds of chemotherapy and receives treatment daily.
“During the last year and a half she has never wavered in her dedication to her role as a teacher,” says Jerri McNair, BBCTA principal. “She is at school everyday with a smile and enthusiasm that serves as an inspiration to all of us who are privileged to work with her. When visiting her classroom i am constantly amazed at her ability to focus on her students needs, offering extra help after hours for those students who are in need.”
 Nix has taught business for MISD for the past eleven years. in addition to preparing real-world projects to supplement state approved business classes, she has written proposals for several innovative business/finance courses in the last few years. She pioneered the BCIS II course in which students have the opportunity to take the Microsoft Office Specialist certification tests. She applied for and received a Tarrant County College Minigrant in order to fund the certification service for Ben Barber students. She has also received several of the Mansfield ISD Education Foundation innovative teaching grants.
Linda Nix serves as Director of the National Academy of Finance at Ben Barber. She has used her contacts in the community to arrange job shadowing for students, as well as scheduling internships with area businesses.
“In addition to being an excellent teacher and role model for our students and faculty, she continues to serve in spite of the most difficult challenge of her life,” says Debra Permenter from BBCTA. “Instead of giving in to the disease, Linda continues to go for chemo and radiation, while maintaining a full and demanding teaching schedule.”
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The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Team recognizes employees who display heart in their lives and inspires other district employees through their actions. Only district employees are able to nominate Heartbeat members. One winner is selected each month during the school year. Nominations are collected by the MISD Communications Department.
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