September 14, 2021

Dripping Springs High School teacher Kristina Vannoy has been selected as one of five finalists for the Greater Austin 2021 Teaching Excellence Award presented by the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Austin. Ms. Vannoy is in her seventh year at DSHS and currently teaches Pre-Calculus, University of Texas OnRamps Pre-Calculus, and PALS (Peer Assistance Leadership). Overall, the Texas Tech University graduate is in her 20th year teaching, with stops at Austin ISD, Cypress Fairbanks ISD, and Humble ISD. She currently is completing her Master of Education in Counseling and Development School Counseling degree.

The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes Austin area teachers who have demonstrated instructional expertise, classroom innovation, the ability to cultivate students' love of learning and ability for critical thinking, expand their own knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences, and share their classroom success for the benefit of their colleagues. 

The winning teacher will be announced in October and will receive an award of $2,500; the winner's school also will receive $500 to be spent on a project directed by the teacher.

Phi Beta Kappa is a national academic honor society that recognizes and celebrates excellence in the liberal arts and sciences, and has advocated for the value of education in these areas. Other finalists are Joseph Oleniczak (LASA HS), Rachel Preston (Bowie HS), Shannon Reed (Crockett Early College HS), and Molly Walsh (Westwood HS).