Elizabeth Bastias, Shadydale Elementary School

Elizabeth Bastias's principal, Tammie Daily, describes Bastias as "inspiring, a risk-taker, life-long learner, creative, and a visionary." After visiting Bastias's classroom during summer school a few days ago, I fervently agree.

Ms. Bastias teaches mathematics and science to second- and third-grade students at Shadydale Elementary School in Houston ISD, but formerly part of North Forest ISD, a district that was closed in 2013 due to academic and financial troubles. I visited her bilingual classroom during summer school at the end of July. When I observed her interacting with her students, two words came to mind, "master teacher".

Although I did not understand the language, I could comprehend how meaningful the teacher-student interactions were. Although the classroom was wonderfully busy with students engaged in differentiated activities, it was clear that Elizabeth had a command of the classroom. The children were all eager to show their creative work to her and receive authentic feedback from her. I witnessed love, encouragement, high expectations.

Read more about this superb teacher on the RUSMP blog.