On Wednesday morning, representatives from Mrs. Baird's and United Supermarkets surprised Westwind Elementary fifth grade teacher, Sara Thompson, by being selected as a Mrs. Baird's Teacher on the Rise for the month of February.
Mrs. Baird's Teachers on the Rise is a monthly teacher recognition program across the Amarillo and Lubbock areas where students can nominate their teachers for going above and beyond.
Thompson has been a teacher for 27 years at both the elementary and middle school levels, with 10 years in Arizona and 17 years in Texas. While this may be her first-year teaching at Frenship, she has been a tiger for years as her twin daughters graduated from Frenship High School in 2019.
Thompson was nominated for Teacher on the Rise by the Dengler Family, whose son is currently in her class. In their nomination, they wrote at length about how dedicated Thompson is to her students.
“She works tirelessly to help each student produce their best work. She is not only patient and kind to each of her students, but she's truly dedicated to each and every one of them.”
The Dengler Family also spoke about how she works to instill confidence in her students, stating that they have seen this work show in their son.
“My child comes home every day with more confidence than the last. I attribute that to Ms. Thompson and her ability to encourage all of her students that the sky is the limit, and they can turn their dreams into a reality.”
Along with the title of Teachers on the Rise, Thompson was given a gift card from United Supermarkets and the Texas Tech Club, and she will be honored at the Teacher on the Rise celebration at the end of the school year.
Thompson stated that she was surprised, humbled, and honored to be nominated and selected for the Teacher on the Rise Award.
“It is heartwarming, as an educator, to be nominated by a family from our school family and to be thought of for this recognition. The support of school families and parents is what makes education rewarding and successful for all the stakeholders in the school community. These families and students touch our lives every day.”