March 29, 2022

 

Dripping Springs ISD recognized eight professionals as 2021-22 Campus Teachers of the Year on Tuesday, March 29.

 

Campus Teachers of the Year are:

• Diana Ballinger (Dripping Springs Elementary, first grade)
• Whitnee Dunn (Rooster Springs Elementary, fifth grade)
• Angie Ellis (Walnut Springs Elementary, fifth grade)
• Jason LaMirand (Sycamore Springs Middle School, sixth grade Science)
• Shanon Montgomery (Dripping Springs Middle School, seventh grade English Language Arts)
• Lizzy Overby (Cypress Springs Elementary, PE)
• Maddie Runyan (Sycamore Springs Elementary, kindergarten)
• Kris Vannoy (Dripping Springs High School, Pre-Calculus/PALS)

Campus winners were selected through a nomination and voting process of all staff at each school. The campus winners are now eligible for the DSISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year awards, which are chosen by a volunteer committee comprised of retired educators. The selection process is based on submitted essay responses and a virtual interview. The two winners will be announced at the May 23 Board of Trustees meeting, and will represent Dripping Springs ISD in the state Teacher of the Year contest.

 

The Dripping Springs ISD Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by the Dripping Springs Education Foundation. Congratulations to this year’s winners! 

 

Below is a brief career summary on each of the campus winners:

 

Diana Ballinger, Dripping Springs Elementary, First Grade

Diana Ballinger is in her fifth year teaching in DSISD and 17th year overall. Prior to her time in DSISD, she spent six years teaching in Colorado, four years in Florida and two years in Virginia. Ms. Ballinger is certified in Core Subjects (EC-6) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6). She graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education.

 

 

 

 

Whitnee Dunn, Rooster Springs Elementary, Fifth Grade

Whitnee Dunn has taught in DSISD for 12 years and is in her 25th year of teaching. She was a teacher in Lake Travis ISD for three years and spent 10 years teaching in Killeen ISD. She is certified in Elementary Reading (1-6), Elementary English (1-6), Elementary Self-Contained (1-6) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (1-6). Ms. Dunn graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in English and Reading.

 

 

 

Angie Ellis, Walnut Springs Elementary, Fifth Grade

Angie Ellis began her teaching career at DSISD and is currently in her fifth year of teaching. Ms. Ellis is certified in Core Subjects (EC-6) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6). She graduated from the University of Houston-Clear Lake with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

 

 

 

 

 

Jason LaMirand, Sycamore Springs Middle School, Sixth Grade Science

Jason LaMirand has spent his entire teaching career at DSISD as he is currently in his eighth year. He is certified in Secondary Mathematics/Science (4-8). Mr. LaMirand graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.

 

 

 

 

 

Shanon Montgomery, Dripping Springs Middle School, Seventh Grade English Language Arts

Shanon Montgomery is in her sixth year as a middle school teacher for DSISD, and in her 10th year teaching overall. Prior to her arrival in Dripping Springs, she spent four years teaching in Lewisville ISD. Ms. Montgomery is certified in English Language Arts and Reading (4-8) and English as a Second Language Generalist (4-8). She graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and a master’s degree in Elementary Education.

 

 

 

Lizzy Overby, Cypress Springs Elementary, PE

Lizzy Overby is in her third year with DSISD and 10th year teaching overall. Prior to DSISD, Overby spent four years at AESA Prep Academy in Austin and three years with Austin ISD. She is certified in Health (EC-12), Physical Education (EC-12) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-12). Ms. Overby graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

 

 

 

 

Maddie Runyan, Sycamore Springs Elementary, Kindergarten

Maddie Runyan is in her second year with DSISD and fifth year teaching. Ms. Runyan began her teaching career at Coppell ISD where she spent three years. She is certified in Core Subjects (EC-6) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6). Ms. Runyan graduated from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies.

 

 

 

 

Kris Vannoy, Dripping Springs High School, Pre-Calculus and PALS

Kris Vannoy is in her seventh year with DSISD and 20th year of teaching. Ms. Vannoy has spent 20 years teaching in the state of Texas, spending six years in Austin ISD, five years in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, and two years in Humble ISD. She is certified in Mathematics (8-12) and graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics.