With a knock at the door, people pushed themselves into the room, offering flowers and congratulations as the class shouted and clapped. Mrs. Ashley Dame, Choir Director, won Teacher of the Year.

Every year, teachers nominate their fellow teachers for Teacher of the Year; the educator with the most votes win.

This year, Mrs. Dame received the coveted honor, after elevating herself as a teacher.

“It was super exciting and completely unexpected!” Mrs. Dame said.

She was surprised by Principal Mike Williams, superintendent Dr. David Vinson and school board members, who burst into the choir room carrying gifts to reveal she had won.

“I was not surprised,” junior Avery Platt, Acapella choir member, said.

This year’s choir theme is Elevate and the district’s theme is Leveling Up and Mrs. Dame has done just that for her students.

“I think that our choir students have leveled-up and their determination to shine brought attention to the heart and energy it takes to love music,” Mrs. Dame said.

Mrs. Dame knew she wanted to be a teacher in the fifth grade. She has taught for eight years, the last five, here in Wylie.

“She builds a safe and honest learning classroom for her students,” Principal Mike Williams said. “They know that she really cares about them in and out of the classroom.”

Mrs. Dame will go up against other teachers first in this school district, then teachers from districts in other regions, and the those ‘winners’ will compete to decide who will be the Teacher of the Year for the state of Texas, but to her, that is not what is next.

“I plan to keep students excited to sing and keep creating great music for the people I love.” Mrs. Dame said.