Jatvik Veerisetty, Wells Elementary School

Sandra Aguirre, Haggar Elementary School

Harrison Klotz, Murphy Middle School

Katie Lau, Jasper High School

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In her ESL classroom, Mrs. Abdelghani creates a safe environment for her students as they learn to speak English at Robinson Middle School. Students gain a sense of belonging as she creates a family environment in the classroom. She teaches her students problem-solving skills so that they can advocate for themselves both inside and outside of the classroom. Through her communication with ESL parents and families that are new to the country, they more quickly, feel they are a part of the Robinson community and are less reserved about getting involved at their child’s school. This has lead to an increase in volunteerism on the campus and more parents being a part of the PTA. The implementation of the Robinson ESL Parent Academy, as well as Mrs. Abdelghani's day-to-day outreach to parents, can be greatly contributed to these successes.

McCall Elementary is represented by several different cultures with 35 to 40 different languages spoken on campus. They take pride in and cherish their rich multicultural heritage. The McCall PTA has stepped up to take the lead in fostering student educational opportunities in cultural awareness and appreciation through community outreach and family events such as multicultural night. At this event, students and their families bring food, music, clothing and artwork to celebrate and educate others on their cultural heritage. This event is designed to help build a meaningful understanding of how we are all connected.

This joint effort by Plano Senior High School’s PTSA Outreach Committee spearheaded by Cynthia Flores-Harris and Plano's Closet, is a student organization sponsored by English teacher Jacqueline Mizeur. Ms. Mizeur has worked tirelessly to help provide basic needs to students who find themselves living in challenging circumstances. Jacqueline has inspired students for the last few years to form and participate in this program. By educating the school community, she has also created an environment where students feel safe reaching out for help. They know they can contact any adult on campus if they have food or clothing needs. Ms. Flores-Harris and the PTSA Outreach Committee contact businesses for donations of goods and gift cards, and they reach out to the PTSA community for donations. They also assemble everything, so that students can easily pick up what they need to take home. 

Mayor LaRosiliere is passionate about fostering a sense of community. He views his role as Mayor is to inspire citizens, especially youth, to believe they live in the best city in the nation and to encourage them to give back to their community through service. This is reflected through the two community initiatives he helped launch. The Nourishing Hope Program affirms to our food insecure elementary students and their families that they will be provided access to nutritious food when needed throughout the year, and the Plano Mayor’s Summer Internship Program has given hundreds of senior high students real-world workplace experience through an eight week paid internship. 

As the department head for the ESL Department at Armstrong Middle School, Stephanie Mullins is strongly skilled at developing an inclusive environment within the school so that all English learners are able to take advantage of the wide range of opportunities that exist on Armstrong’s campus.

• Kaki Bennett, Haggard Middle School
• Kathleen Good, Murphy Middle School
• Hedgcoxe PTA, Hedgcoxe Elementary School
• Hickey PTA & Multicultural Committee, Hickey Elementary School
• Terri Richards, Schimelpfenig Middle School
• Maria Roos, Armstrong Middle School
• Tina Vaguine, Davis Elementary School
• Brandon Watts, Huffman Elementary School