Superintendent Paul Cruz surprised three teachers in their classrooms today to announce their selection as Austin ISD’s 2015 Teachers of the Year for elementary, middle and high school.

Being selected as a Teacher of the Year is one of the highest honors bestowed on AISD teachers.

Each year, one of the finalists is named Austin Teacher of the Year and selected to serve as the district’s nominee for the Texas Teacher of the Year. The Texas Teacher of the Year Program, which is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators and the Texas Education Agency, recognizes teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching.

This year’s finalist for Texas Teacher of the Year will be named May 19 at the Performing Arts Center during Salute: A Tribute to Excellence, which recognizes outstanding employees districtwide.

“Each year, AISD gets to recognize three teachers who have gone above and beyond their teaching responsibilities to provide exceptional learning opportunities,” said Superintendent Paul Cruz. “I am proud of these teachers, as well as all the other exceptional staff we have throughout the district.”

AISD’s 2015 Teachers of the Year are:

James Supak, Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Quevette Terrell, Middle School Teacher of the Year

Angela Del Grande, High School Teacher of the Year