Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher: Ms. Arevalo, Ms. Babineaux, Ms. Ballew, Ms. Brown, Ms. Burges, Ms. Buescher, and Mr. Calhoun

We are in complete awe of the teachers who were nominated in Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher contest! We asked our readers to nominate teachers who have made an impact in their and their children’s lives. With over 7,000 teachers in one San Antonio school district alone, there are thousands of wonderful educators in the San Antonio community, and we are honored to be featuring some of them today.

We will be introducing you to our finalists through a series of posts throughout the day. We want our readers to help us determine who will receive the title of Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher!

Voting will open Monday, May 4 and continue through Thursday, May 7 at noon. To cast your vote, simply scroll down to the bottom of this post. Our winner will be announced on Friday, May 8.

Without further ado and in alphabetical order (because teachers love order, right?), here is our first group of Amazing Teachers!

Suzanne Arevalo

Suzanne ArevaloAlamo Heights ISD, Cambridge Elementary; 2nd Grade

Nominated by Rachel Turner

Two years ago, we made a decision to transition our daughter from private to public school. It was not one taken lightly, as she had always felt “different” and like an “outcast.” How would she adjust to a new setting, a new group of kids, and a new teacher? The first sign bode well when Ms. Arevalo called our home before the first day of school to speak to Isabella. She told her she was so excited to meet her and have her in her class—something that was so simple, yet meant so much. It meant to Isabella that she mattered! This was only the beginning of the beautiful year that she would spend with a teacher who encouraged my child’s need to be inquisitive. She celebrated each child’s unique gifts and qualities. My daughter blossomed in her classroom and has a love for learning and school because of Ms. Arevalo. Making connections with children are so important, and Ms. Arevalo does just that. When you reflect back on that one teacher that made a difference, that touched your life, Ms. Arevalo is the one that I will be grateful to for believing in my daughter and encouraging her to be the red fish in a sea of blue.[hr]

Kelli Babineaux

Kellie BabineauxNorthside ISD, Oak Hills Terrace Elementary; 3rd Grade

Nominated by Skye Smith

Ms. Babineaux takes the time to email randomly throughout the day if something good (or bad) happens. She is genuinely interested in the children’s lives both inside and outside of school. I hope this recognition gives her the encouragement to continue this for all of her career and not get discouraged.[hr]

Holly Ballew

Holly BallewAlamo Heights ISD, Howard Early Childhood Center; Kindergarten

Nominated by Ashley Krimmel

Mrs. Ballew is everything you could ever hope and imagine for your child’s Kindergarten teacher, who serves as the first introduction to grade school and the 13 long years ahead. Mrs. Ballew is kind and compassionate, but has a firm voice when necessary. She is funny and silly, but can command a classroom of crazy six-year-olds in three seconds or less. She is that teacher that you secretly want to bring home with you so she can help to give you skills to wrangle your own children. Her way of imparting wisdom on the children is so effortless that they don’t even realize that they’re learning. The children are excited to go to school each day, and she helps the parents by sending pictures of the special activities so we don’t miss out on the fun when we’re not able to participate. She also rewards the children’s positive behaviors by having “compliment parties” (for all compliments received throughout the weeks) and allows them to choose what type of party they want (e.g., crazy hair, toy, shoeless, etc.). Mrs. Ballew has made learning fun, engaging, and interactive. She went above and beyond this year and applied for a grant through our school district and was one of few awarded. Just last week the class was able to celebrate as their new smart board was installed, thanks to Mrs. Ballew’s vision. The class now has an interactive and engaging learning tool. As a volunteer in the classroom, I have seen her ability to help young children understand each other’s feelings and how simple actions impact others. She talks openly and honestly with them about why one child may be upset and helps the kids imagine themselves in the others’ shoes. Within a minute everyone is happy; the crisis is averted; the tears are gone; and the children are once again playing together—but they have learned what actions to avoid in the future, something most adults have yet to master.

Mrs. Ballew’s teaching doesn’t end when the bell rings, as she has twin first-graders of her own. I had the pleasure of meeting these boys, and they were polite, smart, and funny. I could quickly tell that the apples didn’t fall far from the tree. When my son had surgery she went the extra mile by sending me information and recommendations to help along the recovery process because her twins had had a similar surgery. She checked in on him the day of surgery and throughout his recovery and, along with the class, made him a bound book of drawings and notes—something that made him smile from ear to ear. I cannot say enough about Mrs. Ballew. I am sad to leave her class at the end of the year, but I hope I take with me some of her methods of teaching. She is an inspiration to children and parents.[hr]

Kim Brown

Saint Mary’s HallKim Brown; Montessori Teacher

Nominated by Katy David

Like so many of her colleagues (and no doubt like all the contest nominees), Mrs. Brown is a talented educator. What sets her apart in my eyes, though, is her ability to connect with her individual students and the culture she creates in her classroom. Mrs. Brown knows the hearts and minds of each of her students. It shows in the feedback she gives to parents and in the personal inside jokes she has with the little ones. Her classroom, Room 4, comprises students ages three to five, and under her leadership, the wide range of ages is a united community. Working in the safe, happy space she has created in Room 4, she introduces her students to the big wide world: foreign countries, exotic animals, outer space. I cannot imagine a better person to have introduced my child to the joys and challenges of academic learning.[hr]

Karen Burges

Karen BurgesNorth East ISD, Tuscany Heights; PE

Nominated by Kristen Stockhausen and Cameron Weirbach

I have never seen Mrs. Burges have a bad day! She is always so enthusiastic and positive! Our children flock to her like a magnet. She conducts herself in such a positive way and teaches in a way that is inclusive of all kids. We love her dedication to Safety Patrol, as even in low temps or pouring down storming, she is there and ensuring everyone’s safety. Mrs. Burges does everything with a “yes” attitude, and it trickles down to everyone who meets her. We adore all of our Tuscany Heights teachers, but especially Mrs. Burges!

Ms. Burges has been with Tuscany Heights since it opened five years ago and with NEISD for many years. She’s full of energy every morning as she organizes her Safety Patrol team, and her energetic personality doesn’t waiver throughout the day. Karen is full of creative ideas for PE—no mere jumping jacks and sit-ups for her students. She’s caring and loving to one and all, too. As a parent of a current student and past student, I’m privileged to have had Karen spend her day with my children.[hr]

Patricia Buescher

IMG_4435St. David’s Episcopal Day School; PreK 4

Nominated by Katherine Eversberg

Tisha Buescher exemplifies everything a parent could hope and pray for in their child’s teacher. Her love for children and educating them exudes through her every action. My daughter has always been shy and slow to join a group. Tisha has brought my daughter out of her shell. She has encouraged my child and created a love for learning at a young age. My daughter wakes up every day excited to go to school and gets in the car every afternoon filled with stories of new things she’s learned and friends she has made. Tisha is like a burst of sunshine, and I can’t think of anyone that more deserves to be recognized for being an outstanding teacher. I have always felt a preschool teacher’s main job is to foster a love for learning in his/her students. Tisha has far exceeded that expectation and given my daughter a gift I could never thank her enough for. Please consider her for your generous award; she deserves it.[hr]

Ben Calhoun

Ben Calhoun photoBASIS San Antonio; 8th Grade

Nominated by Gokul Prasad and Rubina Saya

Mr. Calhoun teaches Psychology for BASIS San Antonio. He has a very unique way of communicating with students. He is able to teach them material without the students even realizing that they are learning. He lives by example, and my son is super impressed with Mr. Calhoun’s organization skills. Mr. Calhoun loves when his students visit him during the student hours or at the end of class just to discuss psychology or other personal stories. He teaches by relating the material being taught to real life examples. He is a wonderful teacher.

Mr. Calhoun is a pretty interesting teacher. He goes in-depth and tries to relate what we learn in the class to everyday situations, giving us a more enriched experience. —Gokul (student)

He has sparked the students’ imagination and curiosity for a new subject. It has been inspiring to see how excited my son is about every bit of new information he has learned from Mr. Calhoun. He has proved the point that a good teacher really opens new worlds for his students.[hr]

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One lucky teacher will be voted to be Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher and will receive a two-night stay and spa package for two at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa!

If you haven’t been to Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa lately, you won’t believe how the resort has been expanded and polished after a $34 million renovation, making the resort bigger and better, transforming all 500 guest rooms with new décor that reflects the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country, and adding fantastic features to the resort’s waterpark. The renovation also doubled indoor function space, tripled pre-function space, and provided more options for outdoor event space, giving you more room to enjoy special events onsite. The renovation left no stone unturned: even the grounds were given an update, highlighting the resort’s natural beauty.

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Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher will also receive a complimentary family photo session with the fabulous Amanda Gentis of ARG Photographs!

Her talent is obvious through her gorgeous photographs, but what you don’t see is how kind, fun, and wonderful the lady behind the camera is. She makes taking pictures a wonderful experience. Amanda’s work is fantastic and she truly captures the beauty in each of her clients, as seen in our Motherhood: More Than Skin Deep series.

Vote for Alamo City’s Amazing Teacher below!

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Lindsay
Lindsay is the co-founder of Alamo City Moms Blog. A native New Orleanian, Lindsay found her way to the Alamo City via her husband, Steven, who is a born and raised San Antonian. She is a mom to three young children. Lindsay earned her B.A. in Psychology from Rhodes College and her M.A. in Early Childhood Education from UTSA. She was a preschool and first-grade teacher for 10 years and is now a Reading Specialist and Dyslexia Therapist.

18 COMMENTS

  1. Ms Loerwald is one of the best teachers my kids have had. She makes learning interesting and has a genuine interest in her students.

  2. Ms. Arevalo is a wonderful teacher! Her dedication and hard work make every student achieve in her classroom!

  3. Mrs. Buescher was amazing with my son when he was in school at St. David’s. Even after we moved she still checked in on him to see how he was liking Kindergarten.

  4. Ben is the most kind hearted teacher and is so dedicated to helping his students be the best they can be. A sincerely wonderful educator.

    • Thank you, Mary. I’ve enjoyed teaching these wonderful students this year. Thank you for your kind words.

  5. Mrs. Arevalo is dedicated to her students and to our school. She encourages us all (our Cambridge students and our Cambridge staff) to be our best!!! I truly admire her and would have loved having her as my second grade teacher. She is very involved with school and community functions.

  6. Ms.Buescher is an amazing teacher. We are very lucky to have her. She is making a large impact on our daughter this year both in her academics and her social/emotional development!

  7. I’ve known Ms Arevalo since 1990. We worked together for many years. NEVER have I known a more dedicated teacher! Vote for Suzanne!!

  8. Ms.Babineaux is a true asset to the teaching profession and her ability to motivate her students.

  9. Kim Brown is the most loving, caring teacher at St. Mary’s Hall. She’s very passionate about her job, loves her students and is proud of all of their accomplishments…no matter how big or small. She’s the best of the best!!!

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