2016 BISD Teacher of the Year Michael Gillette with his children, Samuel and Lauren.
Michael Gillette has been named 2016 Boerne ISD Teacher of the Year. The social studies teacher holds class at Samuel V. Champion High School, where he has taught since the school opened in 2008.
Gillette joined Boerne ISD in 2007 and is noted for his teaching of Advanced Placement U.S. History. He also teaches AP Human Geography and Historical Periods. He was characteristically humble in accepting the award from Boerne ISD superintendent David Stelmazewski on Friday, a week after he was announced as the campus teacher of the year.
"This doesn't really honor me," Gillette said, "it honors every relationship I've made in my life: my parents, you guys (students), and everybody who has come before - former administrators, support staff, faculty. Those are the people who made me successful here.
Watch Michael Gillette's acceptance comments.
"You really have to form good relationships with people and it's the people I've chosen to surround myself with that, really, I lay out every success to. I'm blessed to be here in Boerne and I'm proud to represent the district. It's a great honor and it's going to take a while to sink in."
In addition to teaching, Gillette coaches football and swimming/diving at Champion. He also serves as National Honor Society advisor, UIL Social Studies coach and UIL Current Events coach. He finds professional satisfaction in seeing students earn college credit and become college ready.
The University of Arkansas graduate is the 2013 recipient of Mirabeau B Lamar Award for Excellence in Teaching. Previously, he was Teacher of the Year at Beaumont West Brook High School and a recipient of the Woodmen of the World Award for Excellence in Teaching History.
Away from school, Gillette enjoys time with family and friends, reading, running, watching sports, music, playing the guitar, golf and travel. The former talk radio personality has met three U.S. presidents.
Gillette now will represent the district in the area-wide competition for the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching, awarded each spring by Trinity University.
Other campus 2016 Teachers of the Year for Boerne ISD are Bret Bunker, Boerne High School; Susan Giles, Fabra Elementary; Ed Kinnear, Middle School South; Alma McFarland, Curington Elementary; Cheryl Reinke, Fair Oaks Ranch Elementary; Val Reissig, Middle School North; Jessica Sills, Cibolo Creek Elementary; and Susan Trizinsky, Kendall Elementary.
# # #