Reliant and the Dallas Cowboys are delighted to recognize and honor teachers in the DFW area through Cowboys Class Acts powered by Reliant. Cowboys Class Acts honors teachers that constantly encourage, lead and strive for excellence in the classroom. Once a month during the school year, the Dallas Cowboys and Reliant will recognize a teacher in the DFW area for their phenomenal work empowering our youth.
Applications for the 2021-2022 Cowboys Class Acts Program will be open September 20th, 2021- January 31st 2022. Nominate your teacher today!
September /October Teacher of the Month:
William McAlister | Carter Junior High School
When we interviewed Coach McAlister last year for a Social Studies teacher and coaching position, we knew right away he would be a great fit for Carter. He was articulate, personable and had an impressive leadership background from the time he served our country in the reserves. Impressed with his leadership skills, the committee unanimously wanted to not only offer him the job but wanted him to serve as the History Grade Level Chair, a role given to teachers with years of experience. Coach McAlister quickly rose to the top as a teacher leader on campus. He served as a mentor to his student athletes and earned the respect of his students and colleagues. He is dedicated to his students and the entire Carter community. In his first year at Carter, he earned the Grade Level Lead role, was named as the AISD teacher of the month, and was recommended for the SMU leadership program for teachers who aspire to the principalship. Coach McAlister takes pride in his work, is a role model to his students and colleagues and is a leader in the Carter community.
Tarri Miller | Adams Elementary School
Ms. Reveles is approachable and relatable to her students, and genuinely cares about each and every one of them. She is actively engaged in their everyday learning and also their social and emotional happiness, which is such a part of the middle school experience for students. Her support has positively influenced many student's perception of themselves.
November / December FISD Teacher of the Month:
Bre Cockrell | Elliott Elementary School
Ms. Bre Cockrell leads the 5th grade team at Elliott Elementary School, where she teaches language arts. Elliott Elementary School is a Title I campus with many students coming from Section 8 housing. Many of the students need more support than what a typical teacher can provide, and they can all count on Ms. Cockrell to be their biggest cheerleader. She puts her students' needs ahead of her own. Ms. Cockrell makes sure her students know how much she cares about them. She is the first person on campus and the last to leave each day.
Shannon Holliman | Centennial High School
Ms. Shannon Holliman is a science teacher at Centennial High School, where she teaches advanced biology, anatomy and physiology. Ms. Holliman's selflessness and dedication to education have touched thousands of students over the course of her 24-year teaching career. Ms. Holliman has an ability to form deep connections with her students. She is known for her amazing personality, compassion and devotion to helping her students succeed.
January / February DISD Teacher of the Month:
Christine Rodriguez | F.P. Caillet Elementary School
Christine Rodriguez has served in the Dallas ISD for 22 years, with the majority of her tenure teaching students with the most severe and profound disabilities. Ms. Rodriguez grew up in Central Texas, attending Texas State University at San Marcos (formerly Texas State University in San Marcos) where she acquired her bachelor's degree. After working in the marketplace for a number of years, she took a position as a substitute teacher in the Dallas ISD, and consequently took a job as a paraprofessional in a Special Education program and found her true calling. After completing her teaching certification, she took the position of Activities of Daily Living Teacher at Caillet Elementary where she has remained for the past sixteen years.
As a child of German immigrants, new to Texas, Christine experienced firsthand the difficulties that children and families may encounter entering a school system. As such, she supports her students with exceptional compassion and dedication, assisting them to navigate all the circumstances they may encounter within the school system and accessing services for their children. She brings her experience from her varied experiences and passions to her classroom, ensuring her students and optimal educational programs and their families the knowledge and security of their children are safe, secure, and well cared for in Ms. Rodriguez' capable hands.
Ms. Rodriguez has two children, Samantha and Joshua, who because of the exceptional example of their mother, continue the legacy she has built of service, compassion, and dedication to their families, friends and community. Christine Rodriguez is a much loved and valued member of the Caillet community, enriching the lives of all of those who have the good fortune to call her teacher, colleague, and friend.
Patricia Cortez | Casa View Elementary School
Patricia is not just a wonderful teacher; she is also highly respected in our community. She was a scholar at Casa View from 1995 to 2003. A few years later and many years of study, she came back to Casa View nine years ago as a teacher. This makes her very relatable to the parents and students. They see her as an important role model and a great inspiration to our neighborhood. Students love her because she is kind, loving, fun, and cares about them.
At the same time, Mrs. Cortez has strong academic expectations and shows her students every day that she believes they can succeed. She is especially gifted at working with Emergent Bilingual students on Math concepts and she constantly and patiently develops number fluency, vocabulary and problem solving skills in her class. Additionally, she is always available to support other teachers with technology, math, class coverage, classroom management, etc. She constantly demonstrates leadership, teamwork and comradery with all teachers in our campus.