AUSTIN, Texas – Vivian Moreland, who teaches English at Italy High School in Italy ISD, was selected as one of ten high school teachers from around the state to receive the 2010 Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers by The University of Texas at Austin’s alumni association, the Texas Exes.

Moreland was nominated by the principal of the school, Tanya Parker. She has been at Italy High School for 37 years and has been recognized with numerous teaching awards over the years. “Ms. Moreland does not just teach English, she teaches life skills,” said Rachael Milligan, a former student of Moreland, “She deeply cares about each individual student.”

The Texas Exes Awards for Outstanding Teachers are bestowed annually upon ten high school teachers and two elementary teachers who are inspiring, supportive of their students and who bring credit to the teaching profession. The recipients of this award are held in the highest regard by their current and former students, fellow teachers, administrators, students’ parents, and community.

“The Texas Exes believe in the importance of classroom teaching. Through these awards, we encourage great teaching by celebrating the achievements of the state’s top teachers,” said Jim Boon, Executive Director of the Texas Exes. The Texas Exes, in collaboration with the university’s College of Education, have administered the awards since 1987, honoring 263 teachers through the years.

The awards are chosen by a committee of alumni volunteers, former recipients, and College of Education faculty. Each honoree receives $2,250, a specially commissioned bronze sculpture, plus many other honors and recognitions, invited to attend the February 11-12, Conference on Texas Excellence in Education, at the Etter-Harbin Alumni Center on the University of Texas campus.

Moreland, along with the other recipients, will be honored during the February 12, awards dinner hosted by UT President Bill Powers at the AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center.

The Texas Exes was founded in 1885 to praise, promote, and protect The University of Texas at Austin. Today there are around 91,000 members whom the association strives to connect to each other and to the past, present, and future of the university through career counseling, travel, reunions, continuing education, fellowship, legislative advocacy in support of higher education, and The Alcalde magazine. For more information on Texas Exes or to become a member, please visit www.TexasExes.org.

Teachers selected for the 2010 Texas Exes Award for Outstanding Teachers are:

• Sharon Brown, English, New Waverly High School, New Waverly ISD, The Lillian B. Rhodes Award
• Deborah Dixon, Fifth Grad, Woodridge Elementary, Alamo Heights ISD, The Suzan and Julius Glickman Award
• Donna Gunter, Mathematics, L.C. Anderson High School, Austin ISD, The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Award
• Connie Johnson, English, Henrietta High School, Henrietta ISD, The Lillian B. Rhodes Award
• Norman LaFave, Physics, Klein Forest High School, Klein ISD, The Houston Texas Exes Chapter Award
• Craig McKinney, English and Humanities, Shepton High School, Plano ISD, The Jane Johnson Wilson Award
• Jenny Montalvo, Special Education, St. Louis Elementary, Tyler ISD, The Verna Rogers Award
• Vivian Moreland, English, Italy High School, Italy ISD, The Gordon Appleman Award
• Connie Ramos, AVID (College Readiness), Earl Warren High School, Northside ISD, The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Award
• Bill Russell, Mathematics, James Bowie High School, Austin ISD, The Mrs. Harold B. Myers Award
• Heather Sanders, Calculus, Canyon High School, Comal ISD, The Lillian B. Rhodes Award
• Jackson Tegarden, Engineering and Architecture Drafting, Homer Hanna High School, Brownsville ISD, The Glaxo Award

Comment from Keith Roberts — February 10, 2010, 8:37am

Congratulations to Mrs. Moreland for receiving this well deserved honor. She taught my sons well, and was a positive influence to them while they were at Italy High School.