Smith Middle School sixth grade teacher, Sherrian Houston-Motley, third from left, was presented with the Randall’s Red Apple Teacher of the Month Award on Nov. 11. Pictured from left, are Christy Lara, Randalls director of public relations; Deborah Duncan, KHOU Great Day Houston host; Houston-Motley, her husband and son; Conner Barnes, Houston-Motley’s former student; and Becky Koop, Smith principal.

Nov. 19, 2024—Smith Middle School sixth grade teacher Sherrian Houston-Motley was awarded the Randalls Red Apple Teacher of the Month Award on Nov. 11.

Houston-Motley was nominated for the award by former student, Conner Barnes.  KHOU Great Day Houston host Deborah Duncan surprised Houston-Motley with the award during class on Nov. 11.

“Randalls Food Markets is so very proud to sponsor this award program,” said Christy Lara, Randalls director of public relations. “We are inspired by the Randalls Red Apple Award winners and Mrs. Houston-Motley is no exception! She is positively shaping the future in our shared communities. Congratulations to her and Smith Middle School!”

Coming from a family of educators, Houston-Motley worked in various career fields before committing to education in 2015. She started at Smith in 2015 as an in-class support paraprofessional. After encouragement from her former principal, Susan Higgins, she obtained her teaching certificate in 2017 and later moved into her current position as classroom teacher in 2019. She recognizes Becky Koop, Smith principal, for pushing her out of her comfort zone and into her own classroom.

Sixth grade teacher Sherrian Houston-Motley was surprised with the Randalls Red Apple Award by Deborah Duncan, KHOU Great Day Houston host.

“Mrs. Houston-Motley is the teacher students never forget,” said Koop. “She says she is their ‘mama bear’ and she demonstrates that in all she does. From her engaging lessons where she uses whole-brain teaching and Quantum Learning techniques to hook her students, to the hundreds of hours she spends attending and cheering on her students at their various extra-curricular activities. She makes a difference in the lives of our students every day at Smith Middle School.”

Houston-Motley shared her appreciation for being recognized with this award.

“With teaching as a profession becoming more and more challenging, this award honestly came at a great time in my life and career,” said Houston-Motley. “With two adult sons who flourished in CFISD schools and are successful adults, I know as a teacher, I am in the right place to pass on the positivity and optimism to generations to come in CFISD. Teachers don’t get a lot of recognition for the long hours, extra work, stress and tears that come along with teaching, but when students take time to celebrate us, it means more than I can explain. I often wonder if I’m making a positive lasting impact on my students, and it is so rewarding to see that I have made a difference in some way in their lives.”