Brawner’s Mary Hernandez selected by TEA as state-wide winner of Rising Star Award

Brawner 4th grade dual language teacher Mary Hernandez has been selected by the Texas Education Agency as the state-wide winner of the Rising Star Award for the 2024 Title III Symposium!

The Brawner staff, representatives from TEA, along with Mrs. Hernandez’s family, surprised her on campus yesterday afternoon with a presentation and award for her accomplishment.

 Mary was a Tarleton State University student teacher intern at Brawner during the 2021-22 school year. Upon graduation from Tarleton in May 2022, she was hired for her first teaching job as a 4th grade dual language teacher at Brawner for the 2022-23 school year and continued there this school year. Next year, she will transition to Baccus Elementary as a 4th grade dual language teacher to help implement the dual language program there as Granbury ISD expands the DL program to another campus.

“Walking into her classroom, you would not know she is a second-year teacher,” said GISD ESL/Bilingual Coordinator Kristina Sosebee. “Mary's passion, dedication, expertise, and willingness to continue learning in this profession is a true inspiration not only for her students, but all who know her. She is most deserving of this award!”

Mary will be honored at TEA’s Title III Symposium this summer in Round Rock. Congratulations, Mrs. Hernandez!

Learn more about TEA’s Rising Star Award: www.txel.org/awards