Paris ISD Names Teachers of the Year

Posted Date: 05/08/2017

Michael Rhodes was named Secondary Teacher of the Year and Amy Hooten was named Elementary Teacher of the Year for the Paris Independent School District at the staff recognition reception, an annual event recognizing teaching excellence as well as honoring employees for their years of service. Both will represent Paris ISD in the 2018 Region VIII Education Service Center Teacher of the Year competition. 

Prior to entering the field of education, Rhodes was employed as an automobile technician. He is completing his Bachelor of Science degree this year. He began his teaching career at Paris High School in 2012 in automotive technology.   During his tenure, Rhodes has taken competitors to the state level in SkillsUSA and earned three state championships.  His students’ accomplishments in SkillsUSA include: 1st year – 1 student was 2nd in district; 7th at state; 2nd year – 2 students 1st and 2nd at district; 4th and 6th at state; 3rd year – 1 student 1st and 1 student 2nd at district; 1 student 1st in state then competed at national level; 4th year – 5 students 1st and 3rd at district; 1 10th and 1 1st at state and competed at national level; 5th year -  2 student were 1st in district, 1 was 1st at state and will compete at national level; 2 students 2nd in district, 5 students 3rd in district; on student elected as District 5 state officer.

Rhodes embraces the instructional methodologies of Sean Cain’s Fundamental Five.  He presents the methodologies and shares what he does with SkillsUSA during department meetings. He has convinced eight teachers to participate. He is co-lead teacher in the department.

Hooten holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from TAMU—Commerce.  She has taught each of her 23 years at Thomas Justiss Elementary School. She is certified in elementary self-contained, early childhood education, and reading recovery. She is currently a second grade English/Language Arts teacher.  She has served on the District Wide Academic Committee, School Effectiveness Team, Grade Level Representative, mentor to student teachers and new co-workers on her grade level, technology mentor, and has presented in-service training for reading strategies.  She was the Outstanding Read 180 Educator in 2014.

Hooten has been inspired by a quote by Uri Bronfenbrenner, “Every child needs at least ONE adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.”  She finds that special child each year.  Mrs. Joel Casey was that person to her when she moved to Texas from Minnesota in third grade.  She knew at an early age she was meant to be a teacher despite being surrounded by a family devoted to the medical field. 

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