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JVHS TEACHER WINS H-E-B LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD

Jersey Village High School biology teacher and varsity tennis coach Robert Dennison was one of six Texas teachers awarded with cash prizes and matching school grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 at the H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Awards ceremony held Saturday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Houstonian Hotel.

Previously named one of 30 finalists in the H-E-B program, Dennison was named the winner in the Lifetime Achievement Category recognizing his more than 20 years of experience in public education. In recognition of this distinction, Dennison was presented with a $25,000 prize in addition to a matching grant for Jersey Village High School.

"It was a very exciting and nervous experience," said Dennison, who was nominated by three thoughtful individuals unbeknownst to him. "It’s unusual for teachers to be made to feel so special in a setting outside of the classroom. That’s a feeling we usually get from interacting with our students. The H-E-B people did a really good job of making us feel really special with everything they did."

Dennison said that the finalists were treated like celebrities for a three-day event that included a personal interview with a panel of judges who selected the six winners announced during the Saturday evening ceremony. A recipient of several teaching honors in recent years, Dennison said that the H-E-B program was truly unique.

"It’s rare for any organization outside of education to go to such lengths to recognize teachers, and it’s extremely rare that these types of recognitions come with a monetary award, let alone one of this size," he said. "This was such a tremendous gift for me and my family, and the fact that the school will receive a matching grant as well is just amazing."

The H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Awards ceremony is the culmination of a six-month search and evaluation process to reward the best Texas teachers. In January 2003, the public nominated more than 4,000 public school teachers who are currently teaching in the H-E-B service area of Central and South Texas in grades K-12. More than 900 teachers submitted applications for consideration.

Thirty statewide finalists were selected and notified by the H-E-B Surprise Patrol, which visited the unsuspecting teachers in their classrooms during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9. During the surprise classroom visits, each finalist received a $1,000 check, a matching $1,000 grant for his/her school and the opportunity to participate in the final judging and awards ceremony in Houston.

"Teachers go unrecognized too often, so H-E-B developed the Excellence in Teaching Awards to spotlight teachers who deserve the respect and admiration of students, parents and colleagues for their leadership and dedication," said Kate Rogers, H-E-B public affairs director. "[Dennison] is a remarkable spokesperson for the teaching profession and is making a difference in the lives of students throughout Texas."

Now in its second year, the program was created in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators to celebrate and honor the contributions of public school teachers. A total of $250,000 was awarded to Texas’ finest educators and their schools through the H-E-B Excellence in Teaching Awards, making it one of the state’s largest education-related monetary awards programs.

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