(Geronimo) — In a historic first, the Navarro ISD proudly announced its first-ever District Teacher of the Year.
Earning the inaugural title for 2024-2025 school year is Elizabeth “Liz” Munster, a third-grade math teacher at Navarro Intermediate School. Although this is her first year to serve the Navarro ISD, this marks her fourteenth year as a classroom veteran.
District officials say the momentous announcement was made Friday during a team appreciation lunch that included Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley, Navarro Intermediate Principal Michelle Schwarzlose, and members of the district’s leadership team.
The assistant superintendent of human resources and school leadership, describes the selection process for the first District Teacher of the Year as “rigorous.”
“Each campus teacher submitted a comprehensive application detailing their teaching philosophy, professional goals, and then participated in an interview conducted by last year’s NISD campus teachers of the year, district leaders, Navarro Education Foundation (NEF) President Katie Clark, and a high school student currently enrolled in our education program. Mrs. Munster now has the exciting opportunity to compete at the Region 20 level for the Elementary Teacher of the Year award,” said Dr. Kauffman.
Citing an impactful moment from Munster’s interview was Chief Academic Officer Wendy McMullen.
“When asked what message she would offer as a spokesperson for the entire district staff, Liz simply and powerfully stated, ‘I have hope. It is so important to have hope for your students, your families, and your colleagues. I am data-driven, but data can’t track hope,” said McMullen.
Munster has previously been recognized with multiple “Educator of the Year” awards in her former district, along with the Customer Service Award and now with the first “Teacher of the Year” award ever to be presented in the Navarro ISD.
District officials say in her classroom, she strategically employs “thinking tasks” with randomized groups to foster collaboration and productive struggle, creating a safe space where risk-taking is encouraged and the problem-solving process is highly valued. They say Munster firmly believes in the power of respectful math discourse and learning from errors as essential components in enhancing mathematical skills and cultivating a resilient growth mindset.
On top of the prestigious title, Munster was awarded a $500 grant from The Navarro Education Foundation.
Munster now goes on to compete in the regional competition.
