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Faculty Member at Duchesne Academy, Houston receives Award |
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 Duchesne Academy Teacher Receives Crystal Award
Duchesne Academy Middle School science teacher Kathy Duquesnay is one of six Houston-area teachers who will be honored during the 13th annual Crystal Awards Celebration, which will be held Friday, February 3, 2006 at the Hilton Houston Post Oak. Since 1993, the Spring Branch Education Foundation has sponsored this annual event in partnership with the Houston Chronicle and other local businesses. Six educators receive honors as “Outstanding Teacher” and are selected by the Houston Chronicle from over 1,600 nominees from Gulf Coast area public and private schools throughout Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers and Galveston Counties. A native of Westchester County, New York and a graduate of both State University of New York at Albany and Stephen F. Austin University, Kathy Duquesnay has taught Middle School science students at Duchesne for 16 years. Before joining the Duchesne faculty, Kathy taught for 11 years in public schools within the Humble and Cy Fair school districts. Throughout her 27 year career, Kathy has been popular with students. Linda Weiland, Duchesne English teacher says: “Kathy helps them become thinkers who can put their thoughts into action to produce something worthwhile—she encourages students to stretch themselves by heading in directions they never thought whey wanted to go much less could go” Duchesne parents echo these same sentiments. Patricia Sturdivant observes: “Kathy encourages special projects, fosters parent involvement and makes ties with the scientific community in ways that create new avenues of learning for her students. As a parent, I feel that my daughter is a privileged passenger on a learning adventure she won’t soon forget.” Kathy is an active member of several local, state and national science organizations including National Science Teachers Association; State Science Teachers Association of Texas; Texas Teachers of Physical Science and the Texas Science Education Leadership Association. Kathy has also organized the Middle School Science Fair since 1990 and has Chaired the Pre K – 12th grade Science Department at Duchesne since 2000. Kathy has also been a frequent presenter at the NSTA’s National Conference and Texas’ Conference for the Advancement of Science Teaching. Kathy is most proud of her 8th grade students who last year won the Houston Regional Future City Contest and successfully competed in the National Future City competition in Washington D.C. The experience of being with other teachers who go above and beyond for students and the students’ scientific accomplishments are memories she will treasure for years to come. Kathy has never looked back once joining the Middle School faculty at Duchesne. “I have always loved teaching Middle School students. The enthusiasm they bring to learning and their excitement about lab work is contagious. It’s this excitement and energy which keeps me motivated and, I hope, adds to their motivation. My goal with each student is that they leave my classroom loving science so much that they are willing to tackle the advanced science classes they’ll encounter in high school and college. Even though it will be hard, I hope they’ll see the scientific knowledge they gain as being worth the effort.” Kathy, together with her husband Mark, has two daughters she has shared her love of learning with. Jillian graduated from Texas A & M in 2004 with a degree in Ocean Engineering. She is employed as a naval architect for a local engineering firm. Paula is in the class of 2008 at Texas A & M majoring in microbiology. The quality of teaching at Duchesne humbles her. “It’s embarrassing to receive this award when you know the hard work of so many others.” |
