 Arlington, TX – Todd Butler of Nash Elementary has been chosen as the 2008 Bilingual Teacher of the Year.
Butler, the fourth grade dual language teacher at Erma Nash Elementary, will be named the BEAM (Bilingual/ESL Education Association of the Metroplex) 2008 Bilingual Teacher of the Year. He will be honored at the spring BEAM conference April 5, 2008 at Mansfield Timberview High School.
“Todd has been a shining example of what is great about bilingual education,” said MISD Bilingual/ESL Coordinator, Yvonne Davault. “He is an excellent instructor, as is shown by the achievement of his students. Both his students and their parents admire and respect Mr. Butler because of his support and concern for every student. It would be difficult to find anyone more deserving of being named Bilingual Teacher of the Year than Todd.”
Butler's colleagues also recognize his level of commitment to bilingual education. “He is a charismatic, caring and entertaining teacher,” says ESL Instructional Specialist and BEAM Parliamentarian, Cindy Brennan. “his level of commitment and dedication to the families of Mansfield ISD is exemplary.”
Districts represented by BEAM in the Metroplex are eligible to submit a candidate as bilingual teacher of year and one for ESL teacher of the year. Three judges score candidates using a comprehensive rubric following strict criteria. The three judges this year were Dr. Patsy Robles Goodwin, professor of bilingual education at Texas Wesleyan; Lidia Morris, an former administrator in Fort Worth ISD and author on bilingual education, and Liz Martin, director of bilingual services in Grand Prairie ISD.
BEAM Conference
Todd Butler will receive the award at the annual BEAM conference, held this year in Mansfield ISD. Approximately 400 area educators will gather for the 24th annual conference of the Bilingual/ESL Association of the Metroplex (BEAM) at Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
The event, one of the longest standing North Texas annual educational events, is a great example of the “extras” educators do because they care about the kids they serve. This particular conference deals with the educational, cultural and affective needs of English language learners. One in four Texas students is in the process of learning English, making this group the fastest growing sub-population in Texas schools. The BEAM conference brings together teachers and experts around this year’s theme of Achieving Learner Standards through Differentiated Instruction.
This year’s keynote address will be given by Arlington ISD’s new superintendent, Hector Montenegro.
“I love any chance I have to address teachers, it is truly an honor and pleasure,” said Montenegro. “Imagine the great opportunity to address 400 teachers who are voluntarily giving up a Saturday to look at how to better address the needs of English language learners. The theme of ‘differentiated instruction’ means just that: it can’t look the same for every learner since each learner is different. The fact that these teachers are coming together to learn more about how that looks in the classroom excites me.”
Walk-in registration is also permitted for interested parents, educators or community members interested in addressing the needs of English language learners. Also included are publisher/recruiter exhibits, breakout sessions, luncheon and entertainment. Mansfield Timberview High School is located at 7700 South Watson Road in Arlington, TX 76002. |
