Beaumont ISD recently named its 2018-2019 Teachers of the Year at the Celebration of Excellence Gala. Blanchette Elementary School teacher Lillie Spiller was named 2018-2019 BISD Elementary Division Teacher of the Year and Central Medical Magnet High School teacher Marinette Parkerson was named the 2018-2019 Secondary Division Teacher of the Year.
Lillie Spiller of Blanchette Elementary has 19 years of teaching experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas A&M University in Kingsville and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Spiller is certified in Elementary Self-Contained (Grades 1-6).
Marinette Parkerson of Central Medical Magnet High School has 
10 years of teaching experience. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Lamar University, a Master’s Degree in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University, a Doctorate in Theology from the Beaumont Theological Institute and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Parkerson is certified in Technology Applications (Grades EC-12), Business Education (Grades 6-12) and School Counselor (Grades EC-12).
The West Brook High School NJROTC kicked off the evening with the presentation of colors, followed by the welcome from BISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Frossard. Throughout the evening, video vignettes of campus teachers of the year were shown, doing what they do best — teaching and interacting with our students. Music was provided by the Flava Band and BISD Special Assistant to the Superintendent Derwin Samuels served as the master of ceremonies.
The 2018 Teacher of the Year Selection Committee was comprised of business partners, community stakeholders and students. They interviewed the top five elementary and secondary campus teachers of the year. The committee included Margaret Swope, chair, Lamar University; Dr. Lori Rochelle, co-chair, Lamar Institute of Technology; Fannie Brown, Beaumont Retired Teachers Association; Shirlene Cook, Beaumont Public Schools Foundation, Inc; Ty Fuselier, West Brook High School Student Council; Dr. Tom Noyola, Lamar Institute of Technology; Alexus Popillion, Central Medical Magnet High School Student Council; Lizette Rivera, Lamar Institute of Technology; Lancer Sylvester, ExxonMobil; Hannah Ward, Beaumont Foundation, Amaya Washington, Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School Student Council; and Mary Beth Woodall, Association of Texas Professional Educators.
In December 2017, a ‘Teacher of the Year’ was selected from each BISD campus. Each nominee was chosen by their colleagues and asked to submit an application. They received gifts from Beaumont Emergency Center, Mobiloil Federal Credit Union, Neighbors Emergency Center and others. In addition, Spiller and Parkerson will receive gifts valued at over $2500 including an HP Printer from Star Graphics/Function4, an iPad from Plumbers Local Union #68, $1500, a gift basket from Raising Cane’s and more.
Spiller and Parkerson will go on to represent BISD at the regional level. If successful, they will compete at the State Texas Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year program has been in existence since 1969 and showcases outstanding educators. This program is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). According to TASA, the Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher.
BISD would like to thank the following sponsors for their partnership:
Star Sponsor - ExxonMobil
Platinum Sponsor - Regina Rogers
Gold Sponsors - Karczewski Bradshaw LLP
Silver Sponsors - Staples
Bronze Sponsors - CenterPoint Energy, Gateway Mortgage Group, H-E-B, Lamar University Foundation, Inc.
Friends of BISD - Beaumont Emergency Center, Blackboard Connect
The campus nominees for Teacher of the Year, in alphabetical order by school, are:
Crystal Collins of Amelia Elementary
Tuesday Alfred of Bingman Head Start
Lillie Spiller of Blanchette Elementary
Jola Waggener of Paul A. Brown Learning Center
Sheri Remirez of Caldwood Elementary
Marinette Parkerson of Central Medical Magnet High School
Ola McGrew of Charlton-Pollard Elementary
Clover Stiles of Sallie Curtis Elementary
Cheryl Spangler of Dishman Elementary
Denise Clement of Early College High School
Tamela Griffin of Fehl-Price Elementary
Yolander Davis of Fletcher Elementary
Tan Nguyen of Roy Guess Elementary
Keisha Hadnot of Homer Drive Elementary
Brandi Rideaux of Dr. Mae E. Jones-Clark Elementary
Erica Culpepper of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School
Jennifer Wulf of Lucas Pre-K Center
Kathy Reamy of Marshall Middle School
Zandra Collins of Martin Elementary
Robin Williams of Odom Academy
Raquel Anders of Clifton J. Ozen Magnet High School
Jo Anette Hartfield of Pathways Learning Center
Darlene Barrett of Pietzsch-MacArthur Elementary
Audrea Downing of Regina-Howell Elementary
Andrea Harmon of Smith Middle School
Doris Wilson of South Park Middle School
Troy Burnett of Taylor Career and Technology Center
Cory Long of Vincent Middle School
Lori Abel of West Brook High School
Click here to view the photo gallery.
Click here to see a video of our teachers in action.
