Honored Teachers

HAT Award "Honor A Teacher" Recipients
Tammy Armstrong 03-03-2009	Teaches English
Principal Shon Joseph, Tammy Armstrong, Lee McCain Brown, Ed Link	The February "HAT" Award recipient is Tammy Armstrong. She was honored at school (03-03-2009). Mrs. Armstrong was selected as the 6th recipient of the award of $100.00 and a memento of the recognition. Mrs. Armstrong is a long-time teacher at Palestine High School who teaches English and participates in Interact. She is dedicated to her students and their education and growth. She will also help out her students as well as other teachers whenever her help is needed. She is married to Adam and has a daughter Abby Grace. From the PHS website, and in her own words, "A special thank you to all parents who are involved in their children's education. You are an invaluable asset to your child's education." The story about the award will be in the Palestine Herald-Press.
Kathleen Brown 02-03-2009	Teaches AP Chemistry, Pre-AP Chemistry, Environmental Science and TAKS Remediation
Principal Shon Joseph, Kathleen Brown, Lee McCain Brown, Ed Link	The January "HAT" Award recipient is Kathleen Brown. She was honored at school (02-03-2009). Mrs. Brown was selected as the 5th recipient of the award of $100.00 and a memento of the recognition. She is in her 21st year at Palestine High School, and is a participant in a variety of leadership activities at school and in the community. She has been the Advisor for student Council for 8 years and National Honor Society Advisor for 18 years. She coaches students in a variety of UIL competitions including science, social studies and computer science, and serves as the organist and pianist at the First Presbyterian Church. From the PHS website, and in her own words, "I teach AP Chemistry, Pre-AP Chemistry, Environmental Science and TAKS remediation. My goal is for students to enjoy the excitement of chemistry and understand how it impacts every aspect of their daily lives." •2008 Walmart Teacher of the Year •2007 PISD Secondary Teacher of the Year •2007 Palestine High School Teacher of the Year •2006 Teacher of the Month •2001 Palestine High School Teacher of the Year •2001 Best High School Teacher by the Palestine Herald Press •1998 and 1996 Who's Who Among America's Teachers •1995 and 1994 Rotary International Outstanding Teacher Award •1992-1994 Tandy Technology Outstanding Teacher •1991 Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Master Teacher. The story about the award is in the Palestine Herald-Press.
Karen Buckland 12-17-2008	Teaches Pre AP English
Principal Shon Joseph, Karen Buckland, Ed Link	The December "HAT" Award recipient is Karen Buckland. She was honored at school (12-17-2008). Mrs. Buckland was selected as the 4th recipient of the award of $100.00 and a memento of the recognition. Karen Giles Buckland is a 1995 graduate of Palestine High School. She attended Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and has been teaching for 8 years. From the PHS website, and in her own words, "As a fourth generation Palestine High School graduate, I am a proud product of hometown tradition and educational excellence. I believe in the contagious power of Wildcat Pride, and I know it can give our students the tools they need for global success! "
Shawn Murphy 12-12-2008	Head Band Director
Principal Shon Joseph, Bela Kelly Hafner, Shawn Murphy	The November "HAT" Award recipient is Shawn Murphy. He was honored at the PHS Band Christmas Concert at the Civic Center (12-12-2008). Mr. Murphy was selected as the 3rd recipient of the award of $100.00 and a memento of the recognition. Shawn Murphy is the Head Band Director. From the PHS Band website, and in his own words, "has been the Head Band Director at Palestine HS since 2006.  graduated from the University of North Texas in 1998 with a degree in Music Education, Trumpet Concentration.  While at UNT, was the Drum Major of the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band 1995-1996 and played in the Concert & Symphonic Bands. He has been married to his wife Kim for 6 years and has a new baby boy named Mason."
Janice Magee 10-24-2008	Teaches Geometry and Algebra
Timothy Triplett, Janice Magee, Ed Link	The October "HAT" Award recipient is Janice Magee. She was honored at the Friday night football game against Brownsboro. Mrs. Magee was selected as the 2nd recipient of the award of $100.00 and a memento of the recognition. Janice Hartley Magee is a 1979 graduate of Palestine High School, and received her masters degree from Stephen F. Austin. This is her 10th year to teach, nine of them with PISD. From the high school website, and in her own words, "I have been married to my high school sweetheart (met in the halls of PHS) for 25 years". Her hobbies are reading, Bible study, spending time with her family, and helping students succeed, Her motto is: "Do not stop learning in life, and make it a joyous journey". The story about the award is in the Palestine Herald-Press online 11-01-2008.
Joey Mason 09-19-2008	Teaches World Geography, Coach - Football/Baseball
Janice Bedre Burris, Ed Link, Lee McCain Brown, Joey Mason, Principal Shon Joseph	Mr. Mason goes out of his way to make sure his students have everything they need to be successful, and he is an outstanding teacher - one we are happy to be able to honor with our 1st "Palestine High School Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher" award and an unrestricted gift of $100. The story about the award is in the Palestine Herald-Press online 9-27-2008. From PHS Chatter: "Joey Mason has been teaching Social Studies for more than ten years. His wife, Michelle, teaches eighth grade science. He has one and three-fourths children (sic). He earned his Bachelor of Science from SFASU. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Mason teaches World Geography, and coaches football and baseball. His hobbies include fishing and hunting, he loves Mexican food, and his favorite color is blue. His motto in life is "You can fight a bear for a minute", and his advice to PHS students is "Always try your best"."
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