By LANCE FLEMING
Abilene ISD Communications

The Abilene Education Foundation hosted its 12th annual Teacher in the Limelight Celebration Wednesday, recognizing teachers across the district for their work with the more than 14,500 students in AISD. The two big winners at the dinner were Long Early Learning Center teacher Tom Stoneroad and Abilene High School social studies teacher Jennifer Jordan, who were honored as the Edwin and Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Award recipients and Abilene ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

Here’s a summary of how Stoneroad and Jordan impact their respective campuses.

Jennifer Jordan
Jordan – a graduate of Abilene High School – returned to her alma mater in January 2000 and has become a fixture on the campus. She has taught Pre-AP World Geography, World Geography, United States History, Government, and Economics, and last year began teaching Holocaust and Genocide Studies. She has also been the Gold Rush Dance Team sponsor, Student Council sponsor, and the annual Prom sponsor.

Her Holocaust and Genocide Studies has a waiting list of students wanting to enroll, and the Abilene Education Foundation has provided grant money that has allowed her to buy books on the Holocaust and world genocides and take two trips to the Dallas Holocaust Museum.

“Mrs. Jordan’s smiling face and heartfelt greetings to all students are genuine, and they know it,” AHS principal Emme Siburt said. “She has been adopted as the bonus mom to hundreds of students who have walked these hallways. If an AHS student has a problem, Mrs. Jordan is a part of the solution, whether it’s ‘Cinderella’s Closet’ for girls that need a prom dress, Thanksgiving baskets for students in need, taking students to work at the HEB Feast of Sharing, or collecting money for students in crises in their lives, she’s always willing to do what it takes to ensure students are taken care of. Jennifer Jordan is a gem in the Eagle crown and a vibrant glow in our hallways. She is what every student wants in a teacher. Abilene High School is lucky that her dreams brought her back where she belongs.”

Tom Stoneroad
Stoneroad is in his fifth year working with some of the district’s youngest students after a 23-year career in the United States Air Force. After retiring from the USAF in 2012, he became a substitute teacher in Abilene ISD in January 2014, which led him to pursue his undergraduate degree in education from McMurry University, graduating Summa Cum Laude in December 2018.

He began his second full-time career in teaching at Long with the 4-and-5-year-old program in August 2019. His second year began online in August 2020, working with the Head Start classes. In March 2021, Stoneroad returned to teaching in person, working in a classroom of young 3-year-olds transitioning from Crockett Early Head Start to Long, and that’s where he’s been since. His technology background has also led him to become Long’s Tech Liaison for the last two years, allowing him to successfully integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) into his teaching practices.

“Mr. Stoneroad is dedicated and determined to make sure all students are successful with a kind spirit, joyful demeanor, and intentionally engaging learning experiences, most notably in the sciences,” said Julie Wilson, Director of Early Childhood. “Students excel in the safe learning environment he has created as they are challenged to meet their maximum potential. Mr. Stoneroad is consistent and reliable to the Long ELC family by always being willing to provide a helping hand with technology, instruction, or a calm, confident presence. The students and families know they are deeply cared for, respected, and accepted just as they are.”

Stoneroad and Jordan will now represent AISD in the Texas Teacher of the Year competition. The first step is the Region 14 Teacher of the Year competition at the elementary and secondary levels. A win there would send one or both on to the statewide competition. Last year, Stafford Elementary School teacher Taniece Thompson-Smith was honored as Texas Teacher of the Year after being chosen as AISD and Region 14 Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Other teachers honored at the dinner:

Edwin and Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Award Recipients and Abilene ISD Elementary and
Secondary Teachers of the Year:
     • Elementary – Tom Stoneroad (Long Early Learning Center)
     • Secondary – Jennifer Jordan (Abilene High School)

J.B. and Winnie Gibbs Awards
     • Cooper High School – Chance Pierce (coach)
     • Dyess Elementary School – Jaime Aleman (counselor)

Future Shapers Award
• Holland – Dulce Mancine
• Bassetti Elementary School – Keri Meuth

TLC Science Teacher of the Year
Funded by Edwin and Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Endowment
• Cooper High School – Ashley Kozora

TLC Math Teacher of the Year
Funded by Edwin and Agnes Jennings Teaching Excellence Endowment
     • Cooper High School – Karl Wilcox

Fine Arts Teacher of the Year
Funded by AEF & the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra
• Abilene High School –Scott Stephens

Campus Teacher Tributes
High School
     • Abilene High School – Jennifer Jordan
• Abilene High School – Amber Via
• ATEMS – Arlieta Jones
• Cooper High School – Reece Kingcade
• Cooper High School – Kathie Wilson
• Woodson Center for Excellence – Tim Palmer
• Holland – Dulce Mancine

Middle School
• Clack Middle School – Alison Wellborn
• Craig Middle School – Catherine Gibson
• Madison Middle School – Julie Jackson
• Mann Middle School – Jeremy Roemisch

Elementary School
• Alcorta Elementary School – Kimberly Vaughn
• Austin Elementary School – Kaylie Lucas
• Bassetti Elementary School – Keri Meuth
• Bonham Elementary School – Melissa Bell
• Bowie Elementary School – Julia Burk
• Dyess Elementary School – Tycilynn (Tyci) Western
• Martinez Elementary School – Lindsey Tanner
• Ortiz Elementary School – Carla Olson
• Purcell Elementary School – Natali Cadena
• Stafford Elementary School – Christine Havens
• Taylor Elementary School – Jenna Cope
• Thomas Elementary School – Rosanna Day
• Ward Elementary School – Shelly Muzechenko
• Long Early Childhood – Tom Stoneroad

Science Teacher Tributes
• Abilene High School – Sandra Henry
• Cooper – Ashley Kozora
• ATEMS – Sarah Long

Math Teacher Tributes
• ATEMS – Stephanie Southard
• Abilene High School – Heidi Anderson
• Cooper High School – Wayne Goodman
• Cooper High School – Maria Romero
• Cooper High School – Karl Wilcox
• Madison Middle School – Carol Footer