Paloma Creek Elementary fifth-grade teacher Michele McCann has been selected as the 2024 Denton ISD Hawkeye Readers Endowment Winner.
The award, which is named for Mildred Hawk, annually recognizes an elementary educator based on their outstanding literacy implementation. Every elementary and Pre-K campus in Denton ISD has the option of naming a Hawkeye Literacy Teacher to represent their campus based on their outstanding literacy implementation.
Campus winners complete an in-depth application which is sent to Jackie Jackson, executive director of the Denton Public School Foundation and her committee, to determine the recipient of the Hawkeye endowment. The winner receives $500 to spend on their classroom to further support literacy implementation.
Ms. McCann believes that literacy education goes beyond teaching students to read and write and inspires her students to strive for their best, embrace their uniqueness and build the determination needed to reach their full potential. She is also intentional about creating a literacy-rich environment that fosters academic success and equips students with real-world applications.
“I want learning to be engaging, accessible and fun,” Ms. McCann said in her application. “More importantly, I strive to cultivate a healthy relationship with my students so that they know their voice matters, they are valued – and they are loved.”
Ms. Hawk started the Hawkeye Readers Program with Denton ISD in 1999. The program awarded the top third grade readers at each elementary school throughout the district.
In 2004, Ms. Hawk established the Hawkeye Readers Endowment. Through her generous contribution, funds were made available annually so that the Hawkeye Reader program may continue. Always a great planner, Ms. Hawk provided funding with the anticipated growth of the district in mind, thereby ensuring generations of Hawkeye Readers in Denton ISD.
Over the years, the literacy committee decided to move the student program to second grade. Every spring, two-second grade students from each elementary school are chosen by their teachers as the Hawkeye students of the year. They receive a monetary gift, a ribbon and a certificate.
The award was expanded in 2011 to acknowledge literacy teachers across the district.
“Ms. McCann is an invaluable teammate and a cornerstone of our campus family,” said Lori Roberston, Paloma Creek Elementary Principal. “She exemplifies excellence in education through her unwavering dedication to her students and commitment to their success. We are so proud to have Ms. McCann as part of our community and celebrate her continued impact on those around her.”
