Traci Collie, a dedicated math teacher at Spring Branch Middle School, recently received the prestigious KENS 5 EXCEL Award for her exceptional approach to teaching. The award came complete with a $1,000 check from Credit Human, as announced during a surprise school-wide assembly. The entire event featured a red carpet, cheerleaders, and the school's band all celebrating Collie's accomplishment.
Having molded young minds in mathematics for 21 years, Collie was honored in front of her peers and students, an event meticulously arranged by KENS 5 and the Comal Independent School District. Her innovative teaching methods, which include utilizing Cheez-Its to simplify equations and slipping into a dinosaur costume to illustrate the Triangle Inequality Theorem, have become notable among her students. "She works hard," an eighth grader told KENS 5, with another adding, "and she does it in a fun way."
Collie's impact isn't confined to the classroom; she also coordinates the school's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as a coach for mathematics and calculator competitions. Her passion is not just teaching math but ensuring her students understand the multi-faceted ways to tackle problems. In a statement obtained by Comal ISD's news release, she shared, "My passion for teaching is helping students really understand the concepts of math and showing them that there are different ways to solve the same problem."
Collie's former personal challenges with the subject make her adept at empathizing with students who struggle with math. She credits a past teacher's patience and support as the catalyst for change in her own academic journey. Now, she pays it forward, ensuring every student receives the attention they need. "She goes more into detail," Isaiah Regge, one of her eighth-grade students explained, "and she takes the time to help you." Carolyn Falk, another student, expressed her appreciation succinctly, "She is just an awesome teacher," as mentioned by Comal ISD's news release.
As part of the accolade, Collie's innovative teaching methods and her unwavering dedication to students' learning were featured on a KENS 5 newscast. The spotlight on Collie underscores the significant influence of educators who go above and beyond to enrich their students' educational experiences—a hallmark of excellence that the EXCEL Award seeks to recognize.
