TAMUC Alum One of Six Finalists for Texas Teacher of the Year

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) has selected A&M-Commerce alum Genesis Yougas as one of six finalists in its 2024 Texas Teacher of the Year program.

Yougas has spent the past three years of her 10-year education career teaching pre-K Head Start at Lawson Early Childhood School in McKinney, Texas. Her efforts were instrumental in securing a 2021 grant for inclusive playground equipment available to all students with health disabilities at Lawson Early Childhood School. She is also the 2023 McKinney ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year, and the 2023 Region 10 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

“The small moments of pure joy bring teachable moments that allow students to feel safe, loved and connected,” she said in the announcement from TASA.

The six finalists will interview on Oct. 19 with a panel of judges tasked with selecting two state-level winners: Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Oct. 20.

(Photo: A&M-Commerce alum Genesis Yougas. Courtesy of McKinney ISD.)