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BHS Teacher Jimenez Garners Top Teaching Award
October 1, 2018
(Bastrop) – In a surprise announcement today, Bastrop High School (BHS) teacher Trent Jimenez was named the winner of Phi Beta Kappa Alumni Association of Greater Austin’s (PBKAAGA) inaugural Teaching Excellence Award. Jimenez will be awarded a cash prize of $2,500 at the fall meeting of the Association to be held on November 4, 2018. Austin Mayor Steve Adler will present the award, along with a $500 prize to Bastrop High School to be used for a project at Jimenez’s direction.
“Mr. Jimenez is most deserving of this honor,” said BHS principal Brad Brown, who nominated Jimenez and was present for today’s presentation. “He is respected and admired by both students and colleagues. We are very fortunate and thankful to have him on our staff.”
The Teaching Excellence Award recognizes Austin area high school teachers who have demonstrated instructional expertise, classroom innovation and the ability to cultivate students’ critical thinking; who have expanded their own knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences; and who have shared their own classroom success for the benefit of their colleagues.
Jimenez teaches Advanced Placement Government, Advanced Placement World History, and dual credit government through Austin Community College. He came to Bastrop ISD in 2005 to begin his teaching career. He holds a BS in communications from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a MS in political science from Texas State University.
“What an honor to be a part of this celebration today, especially with Trent’s wife Tiffany and son Harper alongside him as he received such public recognition,” said Barry Edwards, Superintendent of Bastrop ISD. “Kudos to Trent and to his colleagues at BHS for standing alongside him.”
Members of PBKAAGA who surprised Jimenez included President Suzon Kemp, First Vice President Dr. Pam Autrey, and committee member Mary Diehl. The committee that selected Jimenez were impressed with the nomination and knew that he was worthy of both the award and the motto of Phi Beta Kappa, which is ‘Love of learning is the guide of life.’
The 2018 Teaching Excellence Award was funded by donors Henry N. Bell, III and Pamela Roberts Bell. Mr. Bell is a sixth generation Texan raised in Bastrop. He holds a BBA from the University of Texas and a JD from Baylor Law School. After retiring from the US Army JAG Corps as a Colonel, Military Judge, he began practicing law and is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar. His wife of 54 years, Pamela, also a sixth generation Texan, holds a BA in History from the University of Texas and a JD from the University of Texas Law School. She retired from private practice last year.
Since its founding in 1776, the Phi Beta Kappa national academic honor society has recognized and celebrated excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and has advocated for the value of education in the liberal arts and sciences. Its Texas Alpha Chapter at UT Austin and the area Alumni Association were established in 1915 and 2001, respectively. For more information, please refer to the website or contact the Association at pbkaaga@gmail.com.
Bastrop ISD is a fast-growth school district 30 miles southeast of Austin. The district encompasses nearly 450 square miles and serves more than 11,000 students from the communities of Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Paige, Red Rock, and Rockne.
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(Pictured above bottom row left to right, Dr. Pam Autrey, Mary Diehl, Suzon Kemp, Pamela Bell, Henry Bell. Back row, left to right, superintendent Barry Edwards, Trent Jimenez, Principal Brad Brown)
(Below left is Trent Jimenez with son Harper and wife Tiffany; below right is Superintendent Barry Edwards, Jimenez, and Principal Brad Brown)