Congratulations to Theresa Gray, a high school teacher from the Harmony School of Innovation-Katy, who was named the Texas Charter School Teacher of the Year last Wednesday at the Texas Charter School Association 2019 Conference. 

 Gray teaches a variety of courses, including U.S. History, Government, Economics, Entrepreneurship, as well as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) course in Social Media Marketing.

The award was announced at the TCSA’s annual conference in San Antonio by Harmony Chief Development Officer Gina Gregory. In receiving the award, Gray was lauded for her individualized approach to student instruction, as well as her dedication to the craft of teaching.

“Every day in the classroom, whether it’s seeing a student get a college acceptance letter or hearing them speak up for the first time in class, is a reminder that there is no such thing as a one-size fits all approach to teaching”.

Dr. Jennifer Goodman, Superintendent of Odyssey Academy, was named the 2019 TCSA Leader of the Year.   Jennifer has been a long-standing leader in the charter school movement and has given of herself unselfishly to help promote and support the work of the Texas Charter Schools Association and has served as a TCSA board member and Member Council Chair. 

Jennifer serves as an example of leadership to all Texas charter leaders, being willing to help create innovative and creative spaces and approaches, earning the respect of students, parents and charter colleagues, advocating for the local and state charter movement, and serving as a leader within her community and region, willing to mentor other leaders.

“Serving as Superintendent of Odyssey Academy has been more than a job, it’s a calling and an opportunity to provide our students and our community a high-quality public education.  I’ve witnessed the transformative education public charters can provide, and I know the difference that it makes for families.”

Both Theresa and Jennifer receive an award of $1,000, a free registration to the 2020 Texas Charter Schools Conference where they will receive recognition during the awards ceremony, a prepared media statement for the awardee’s use, and an opportunity to share ideas quarterly through the TCSA Bi-Weekly Bulletin and the Texas Charter Exchange blog.