2020-2021 Salute Award Winners

Classified Staff of the Year

This year, our district Classified Staff went above and beyond, and stood on the front lines to support our students, staff, families, and Austin community. 

In the almost 450 individual nominations received for Classified Staff of the Year, words like “selfless”  “supportive”  “respectful” and “the heart and soul of our team” were used to describe these integral members of district and campus operations, including Custodians, Teacher Assistants, Parent Support Specialists, Office Staff, our Transportation team, AISD Police, and our Food Services team.

Three incredible finalists are being honored to represent our classified staff and their commitment to excellence, superior customer service, leadership skills, and overall enrichment to their campus or department.
 
We’re proud to announce our finalists for Classified Staff of the Year:
 

2021 Classified Staff of the Year: Rae Nwosu, Kealing Middle School

 

Finalist: Linda Rivera, Perez Elementary School

 

Finalist: Sandra Zachary, Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy

 

Librarian of the Year

When asked to nominate an individual for Librarian of the Year, our AISD community spoke of a group of people who are “thoughtful” “patient” “inspiring” “creative” and, to put it simply, “magic.”

Our AISD Librarians inspire our students by being the pillars of literacy-rich campus cultures. Librarians are at the forefront of helping students navigate media and materials, and create innovative spaces to support students in their literacy goals, social-emotional health, future-ready skills, and a love of learning that extends from books to beyond.

We are honored to announce our finalists for Librarian of the Year:

 

2021 Librarian of the Year: Bradley Dusing, Sunset Valley Elementary School

 

Finalist: Bonnie Lang, Doss Elementary School

 

Finalist: Angie Merriman, Baranoff Elementary School

 

Counselor of the Year

“Caring” “Compassionate” “Engaging” and “a Champion for Students”. These are just a few of the statements used to describe this year’s nominees for Counselor of the Year.

In AISD, our Counselors serve as pillars of support for students to fully develop their academic, career, personal, and social and emotional potential.  Through college and career planning, unique SEL lessons, community building, and supporting students through their physical and emotional well-being, our counselors represent the heart of our schools.

Let’s hear more about our three magnificent finalists for AISD’s Counselor of the Year:
 

2021 Counselor of the Year: Cristina Torres, O. Henry Middle School
 

Finalist: Cari Land, Highland Park Elementary School

 

Finalist: Nicole Lozo, Boone Elementary School

 

 

Assistant Principal of the Year

Encouraging. Supportive. Understanding. The nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year excel at ensuring student success –and campus success– through relationship-building and positive interactions with all members of the school community.

Tonight, we honor three wonderful assistant principals who have gone above and beyond in support of their teams. They have stepped into numerous roles on their campuses, and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence through modeling the values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire students and staff to achieve wonderful greatness.

Here are our proud finalists for Assistant Principal of the year:

 

2021 Assistant Principal of the Year: Michael Coyle, Webb Middle School

 

Finalist: Dinorah De La Torre Salazar, Travis Heights Elementary School

 

Finalist: Chara Harris, Murchison Middle School

 

Principal of the Year

In a year like no other, our principals and campus leaders have served their communities with the belief that anything is possible through creativity, collaboration, and compassion. The nominations submitted for Principal of the Year spoke of our Principals as inspirational, transformational, and instrumental in uniting their campus communities.

The three finalists for Principal of the Year embody what it means to lead a campus with heart. They inspire not only their students, but their teams to be curious, innovative, and to reach new heights each and every day.

We are honored to announce our three finalists for Principal of the Year:
 

2021 Principal of the Year: Elizabeth Dickey, Rosedale School

 

Finalist: Jennifer Pace, Widen Elementary School

 

Finalist: Corrine Saenz, Reilly Elementary School

 

Teacher of the Year

2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Angie Baca-Ross, Joslin Elementary School

 

Finalist

Lisa Richardson, Walnut Creek Elementary School

 

2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year

Dr. Sanford Jeames, Eastside Early College High School

 

Finalist

Joseph Alan Sosa, Lamar Middle School

 

 

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2020-2021 Campus Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year

Click here to see the 2020-2021 Campus Teachers of Promise

Click here to see the 2020-2021 Campus Teachers of the Year

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PTAs and Volunteers

PTAs of the Year

Blanton Elementary and Austin High

Volunteers of the Year

Click here to see Austin ISD's 2020-21 Volunteers of the Year

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APIE Honorees

APIE Champion

APIE Volunteer of the Year: Scott Mackey

APIE High School Champion: Travis ECHS

APIE Tech Champion: HMG Creative

APIE Donor Champion: Applied Materials Foundation

APIE Hall of Fame

Dr. Pat Forgione and Mr. Earl Maxwell

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Our Sponsors

Salutatorian

City of Austin
 

Honor Roll

Wells Fargo
 

Scholar

A+ Federal Credit Union

Charles Schwab

Engineered Exteriors

Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP

Walsh Gallegos Trevino Kyle & Robinson P.C.

Vintage IT Services
 

Graduate

American Constructors

Austin Community College

BLGY Architecture

Encotech

Fuse Architecture

Method Architecture

Mueller (Catellus)

Westminster

Mr. William Gammon