WC NEWS

Weatherford College honored 49 of the finest teachers from across the region at the annual Jack Harvey Academy of Exemplary Teachers celebration on Thursday, Feb. 27, in the Emerging Technologies and Workforce Building.   

Celebrating its 29th year, the Harvey Academy honors exemplary teachers in memory of Professor Emeritus Jack Harvey, who taught at WC for 23 years and was considered among his peers as a "master teacher."    

This year's keynote speaker was Christine Mihealsick, the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year. She teaches 11th and 12th-grade students in advanced placement environmental science classes at Westwood High School in Round Rock ISD. This is her 23rd year as a public high school teacher and fourth year as a science department chair. Mihealsick earned both a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Master of Arts in science from the University of Texas at Austin.  

She is a Nationally Board Certified Teacher who has been recognized for her innovative teaching methods, including hands-on labs, fieldwork and engaging real-world projects that involve families in environmental learning. Mihealsick is a Fulbright scholar and has participated in several international teaching programs. She was also awarded the UTeach distinguished alumni award from the University of Texas at Austin. 

The 2024-25 Jack Harvey Academy of Exemplary Teachers awardees are: 

• Aledo ISD – Carolee Griffith 

• Alvord ISD – Larry Hicks 

• Azle ISD – Joanna Reasoner 

• Azle Christian School – Jolynn Tucker 

• Birdville ISD – Karen Kallas 

• Bluff Dale ISD – Tammy Campbell 

• Bowie ISD – Lori Cage 

• Boyd ISD – Westley Morri 

• Bridgeport ISD – Tara Darst 

• Brock ISD – Jennifer Shaw 

• Bryson ISD – Genny Bruce 

• Burleson ISD – Cory Lee 

• Castleberry ISD – Brandy Kaminsky 

• Castleberry ISD – Janine Henry 

• Chico ISD – Kyura Spann 

• Cleburne ISD – Eddie “Pat” McHargue 

• Community Christian School – Suzan Nicholson 

• Cornerstone Christian Academy – Sherry Swaim 

• Crosstimbers Academy – Emily Hubbard 

• Decatur ISD – Lacy Maddox 

• Garner ISD – Samantha Casperite 

• Gordon ISD – Wendy Crider 

• Graford ISD – Hayli Castillo 

• Granbury ISD – Deidra Zschiesche 

• Huckabay ISD – Soundrea McCarty 

• Jacksboro ISD – Christi Rater 

• Joshua ISD – Shaunna Goodwin 

• Keller ISD – Heather Wilson 

• Lipan ISD – Tracey Harrison 

• Millsap ISD – Ashly Burns 

• Mineral Wells ISD – Danielle Luedke 

• Muenster ISD – Molly Sicking 

• Palo Pinto ISD – Jennifer Nierman 

• Paradise ISD – Jennifer Featherston 

• Peaster ISD – Kandace Handy 

• Perrin-Whitt CISD – Dianna Gilmore 

• Poolville ISD – Wendy Cox 

• Santo ISD – Ashley Kidwiler 

• Slidell ISD – Yanet Fernandez 

• Springtown ISD – Ross Beaty 

• Stephenville ISD – Kelly Eakin 

• Strawn ISD – Paula Milner 

• Tolar ISD – Brenda Walker 

• Trinity Christian Academy – Candice Blanton 

• Victory Christian Academy – Stacey Morales 

• Weatherford ISD – Tonya Martin 

• Weatherford Christian School – Sheryl Rogers 

• Weatherford College – Christel Brenner 

• White Horse Christian Academy – Steve Keith