Woodforest - Woodforest Awards $2,000 to 2 Local Teachers

Woodforest Awards $2,000 to 2 Local Teachers

Woodforest has launched its Educator Spotlight program, awarding $1,000 each to two very deserving teachers nominated by Woodforest residents.

The first two of an eventual eight awards that will be given out this year went to Amber Fowler, a dyslexia specialist at Lone Star Elementary in Montgomery Independent School District and third-grade teacher Christine Melley at Conroe Independent School District’s Stewart Elementary in Woodforest. The Educator Spotlight program recognizes teachers and staff members at schools serving Woodforest.

Two sets of parents nominated Fowler, calling her an advocate for her children. “I tell kids that they struggle because their brain is different and I try to teach them how
to advocate for themselves,” Fowler said. “For so long, dyslexia was a taboo topic, with people just saying these kids were lazy or not trying. That’s simply not true.”
Fowler says she’s going to use her $1,000 award to purchase items to help kids continue to learn.

“There’s a game I’ve wanted to get for the kids, but it’s pretty expensive,” she said. “Now, I’ll be able to get that and other tools to help the kids.

“This nomination totally surprised me,” Fowler said. “I love my kids and love my parents. I’m so thankful they value me and their kids’ education.”

Despite this being Melley’s first year as a full-time teacher, she is already making a difference and helping students — particularly with reading, her nomination reads. “Anyone can learn to enjoy reading; it’s finding the genre/topic that students find challenging and engaging,” Melley said.

She works one-on-one with students to help them find their interests and sets up a book club-like experience where they discuss the book they just read. She plans to use her award to add more books in a variety of topics to further engage her students.  “I am extremely grateful to have been nominated and humbled for winning as I work with a great team of energetic teachers who all share the passion for helping students learn that I do,” Melley said. “On behalf of my students who will be benefitting from this award, I want to say, ‘Thank You’ to everyone who nominated any teacher for this award.”

Woodforest is announcing new winners each quarter, with the next awards planned for April. The community is zoned to Lone Star Elementary, Oak Hills Junior High and Lake
Creek High School in Montgomery ISD and Stewart Elementary, Peet Junior High and Conroe High School within Conroe ISD.

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