When Vickie Wright was named Texas Teacher of the Year on October 17 at the Texas Association of School Administrators conference at the Kalahari Resort, the honor represented more than professional recognition. It affirmed a calling shaped by family, mentorship, and a deep belief in the power of public education.<\/p>\n
Wright\u2019s journey began with her great-grandmother, who raised her. Though her great-grandmother didn\u2019t finish school herself, she firmly believed education could change a child\u2019s future. She purchased a set of encyclopedias for her family.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe believed if you pushed yourself in education, you could take over the world,\u201d Wright says.<\/p>\n
Wright was further inspired by her JROTC instructor, First Sergeant Harper. \u201cHe showed me how powerful it is when an educator truly sees you and believes in you,\u201d she recalls. \u201cThat\u2019s when it clicked. I wanted to give back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now in her 14th year as an educator, Wright teaches fifth grade English at McWhirter Elementary in Webster, Texas. She appreciates the change and growth that she sees every year.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo year is the same,\u201d she says. \u201cYou never know what your students will need or what will inspire them. Watching them grow \u2014 academically and personally \u2014 is the greatest reward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wright\u2019s classroom might surprise older generations. Traditional rows of desks have largely disappeared. Flexible seating, including wobbly stools, alternative chairs, and resistance bands for movement, gives students the ability to stay active while learning. Wright revamped her classroom after asking her students how she could make the place feel more like home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen students help shape the environment, they take ownership of it,\u201d she explains. \u201cIt changes everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another major shift Wright has embraced is technology. Rather than viewing it as a burden, she sees it as a learning curve. After speaking with middle and high school students, she realized many felt underprepared for the digital demands ahead.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnology isn\u2019t going anywhere,\u201d she says. \u201cIf the internet goes down, half our day is affected.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wright commits to staying current, so her students are prepared for what\u2019s next. At the same time, she acknowledges the balancing act educators face.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou have to find time to recharge,\u201d she says. \u201cThe managerial tasks can be overwhelming, but the heart of the job, the kids, that\u2019s what inspires me every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Texas Teacher of the Year, Wright now represents the state through the National State Teacher of the Year program, collaborating with educators across the country and advocating for students on a broader stage.<\/p>\n
Still, her message to new teachers remains grounded and heartfelt: \u201cKeep going. If you love kids and believe in the work, don\u2019t let the tough days push you out. Our students need us more than ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
From a great-grandmother\u2019s encyclopedias to a statewide platform, Vickie Wright\u2019s story showcases the power of collaboration, inspiration, and dedication.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When Vickie Wright was named Texas Teacher of the Year on October 17 at the Texas Association of School Administrators conference at the Kalahari Resort, the honor represented more than professional recognition. It affirmed a calling shaped by family, mentorship, and a deep belief in the power of public education. Wright\u2019s journey began with her […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":72812,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[640],"tags":[641],"class_list":["post-72807","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-champion","tag-champion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n