A 2005 graduate of the University of Houston-Victoria is the 2007-2008 Teacher of the Year at Arizona Fleming Elementary School in Houston.

 

Lily Monroe

Lily Monroe, who has a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from UHV, was selected by her peers from three nominated teachers at her school. She now will compete for Teacher of the Year at Fort Bend Independent School District in Sugar Land.

 

“The professors at UHV were very helpful when I was a student,” the third-grade teacher said. “Even now, if I ask them their opinion about a teaching issue, they’ll tell me what they think.”

 

Monroe started her teaching career at Arizona Fleming in 1998 when she was hired as a bilingual aide. She was a district substitute teacher while she was getting her bachelor’s degree and then became a second-grade teacher in 2005 at Arizona Fleming. She was hired into her current job as a third-grade teacher in 2006.

 

She is involved in numerous groups at Arizona Fleming. She helped restart the school’s Parent-Teacher Association in 2005 as a way to get parents more involved. She also helped create the school’s Parent Center in September as a way to offer English as a Second Language classes to the parents of students. She is the sponsor of the Arizona Fleming Boys’ Club and Girls’ Club, which promote high self-esteem among students, and the school’s Earth Squad, which develops environmental awareness.

 

Monroe’s UHV professors remember her as an outstanding student.

 

“I recall that Lily was a dedicated student and very serious about becoming an effective teacher. She always had a positive attitude and willingness to learn,” said Jane Fry, an associate professor in the UHV School of Education & Human Development.

 

John Stansell, dean of the same school, said he was gratified to see a UHV graduate receive the award.

 

“She sets a fine example for our students to emulate as they move toward their degrees,” he said.