Samantha Meade Kosoris, class of 2011, was named Waxahachie ISD New Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year. Samantha graduated from the TCU College of Education with a degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in ESL. She earned her master’s degree in Elementary Education through the 4-1 program at the college. She teaches kindergarten at Northside Elementary School in Waxahachie, TX. As part of her prize package she received in May, Samantha was given a key to the city, $100 and the use of a new Jeep for the summer.

Samantha’s favorite part about teaching is watching her students learn to read. “Watching my students learn to read and sound out words is magical,” she said. Her advice for other first year teachers is to be patient and positive. “The beginning of the year is the hardest part of being a teacher but the payoff in seeing the difference you have made at the end of the year in your students is immeasurable,” she said. Samantha plans to continue to teach at Northside Elementary and gain more experience in her field. She hopes to one day earn a Ph.D. in Education.