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Wayside teacher honored by Saginaw Area Chamber of Commerce
Tracy Stone Johnston, algebra I and eighth grade math teacher at Wayside Middle, was honored as Educator of the Year at the Saginaw Area Chamber of Commerce's Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, February 9, in the Speedway Club at Texas Motor Speedway.
The Educator of the Year is awarded annually to a teacher or administrator working in education in the Saginaw community. In addition to years of service as an educator, the award recognizes professional accomplishments, innovative teaching practices, positive impact on students and colleagues, awards and honors received, and dedication to the education profession. Community service and other activities outside of their daily role are also considered.
"Mrs. Stone is one the hardest working teachers I have worked with," said Jason Sneed, Wayside Principal. "She builds strong relationships with both her parents and students. When I think of Mrs. Stone, the word respect is the first word that comes to mind. She respects her students and they respect her. She is absolutely deserving of this award."
This isn't her first time to be honored in her profession. In the past, she has been selected by her peers to receive the Peer Professional Award three times and has been a Teacher of the Year nominee at her school. She has also been selected three out of the past four years by a Top 10 senior at Boswell High School to be honored as the teacher who was most influential to their academic career.
Stone frequently comes to school at 6:30 am for tutorials with an average of 15 to 30 students in her classroom each morning. Students not only have the opportunity to work on math during that time, but other other subjects as well. Many students show up in the morning just to spend time with her.
"I model before my students each and every day how I expect them to act and how to treat others," Stone said. "Respect is what I base every relationship on with each and every student who comes through my classroom door. I love teaching and I want to open their mind to learning math in ways they have never experienced. I try with each and every student. I care."
Stone has taught in EMS ISD for 13 years. She is the eighth-grade teacher team leader, collaborates with her fellow teachers often, and has led workshops for math teachers at both her campus and district-wide. Stone graduated from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma with a degree in secondary mathematics education. She also teaches algebra at Tarrant County College Northwest Campus. Outside of school, Stone stays active with missions through both her church and neighborhood. She has participated in 11 mission trips so far.
"Mrs. Stone has a positive impact on everyone she meets," Sneed said. "We are happy she calls Wayside her home."