Texas Baptists recently recognized nine public school educators as BEST—Baptist Educators Serving Texans.
The Baptist General Convention of Texas established the annual BEST Awards to celebrate Christian educators who are living out their faith daily among their students and recognize the Texas Baptists institutions that taught them.
The award recipients are:
- Hector Marquez, a graduate of the Baptist University of the Américas and a 9th grade science teacher and coach in the Lamesa Independent School District.
- Ashley Minton, a graduate of Baylor University and principal of Canyon Ranch Elementary in Irving.
- Cynthia Spencer, a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and a 5th grade math teacher in Mansfield Independent School District.
- Jennifer Carlile, a graduate of East Texas Baptist University and a 2nd grade teacher at Bullard Independent School District.
- Daisy Sanchez, a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and a counselor in Bronte Independent School District.
- Jonathan Powell, a graduate of Houston Baptist University and principal of Keefer Crossing Middle School in New Caney.
- Bobbette Bell, a graduate of Howard Payne University and a high school librarian in Salado Independent School District.
- Dolores Kemp, a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a retired teacher and administrator at Belton Independent School District.
- Rodney Wallace, a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and principal at Ash Program in Plainview.
The award process was coordinated by Cooperative Program Director Bruce McCoy and the office of Cooperative Program ministry.
The annual BEST Award is presented to select Texas Baptists institution graduates who currently serve in faculty or administration roles in the Texas public school system and are members of a church supportive of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. One graduate is selected from each Texas Baptist educational institution.
Graduates from these universities represent an estimated 6 percent to 8 percent of the more than 357,000 public school educators in Texas.
“These BEST Award recipients serve as our representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Texas public school system as the ‘salt of the earth’ and the ‘light of the world’ (Matthew 5:13-14),” McCoy said.
“These recipients are shining examples for Christ as they represent thousands of other Texas Baptists educators just like them who serve the Lord with wisdom and skill. We gladly celebrate each of our 2021 BEST Award recipients.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally posted on Oct. 22, was revised on Oct. 26. In the original version, based on information provided by Texas Baptists, the recipient from BUA was misidentified. The actual recipient is Hector Marquez.
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