Robert Dennison, the Advanced Placement science lead teacher for the Houston Independent School District, received the inaugural O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher of the Year Award for his outstanding record in helping students master college-level work in high school.
Mr. Dennison also received a $30,000 cash prize—one of the largest ever given to an educator—at a College Board Forum event held in November in Houston. In addition to honoring teachers, the award also recognizes Edith and Peter O’Donnell, Dallas philanthropists known for their longtime interest in improving education in Texas.
Two other educators, Nancy Arroyo and Robert Glen Martin, were recognized for their outstanding contributions to teaching. Ms. Arroyo, the math lead teacher in the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso, and Mr. Martin, the computer science teacher at the School for the Talented and Gifted in the Dallas Independent School District, each received $5,000 from the O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher Award Fund at Communities Foundation of Texas. The fund was established by a grant from the Morton H. Meyerson Family Tzedakah Fund.
"When my colleagues and I met to narrow the field of teachers considered for the O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher of the Year Award, I knew we had found a remarkable group of educators," said Mort Meyerson, chairman and CEO of 2M Companies and former president of EDS. "Reading through the comments of the people who nominated them and the personal interviews created a stir of excitement for me. We had planned to fund an award to one teacher, but we decided to fund $5,000 to each of two more outstanding teachers, as well as $1,000 to each of the six other semi-finalists. They were all just amazing. I know the future of our young people is in fine hands."
"AP teachers inspire, teach and prepare students for not only higher education, but for life," said Peter O’Donnell, chairman of the O’Donnell Foundation. "Our AP teachers prove we can have excellence in public education. This gives us assurance about our future."
"We could not be more pleased to collaborate with Mort Meyerson on the O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher Award," said Brent Christopher, president and CEO of CFT. "This award recognizes those teachers going above and beyond every day. In addition to recognizing these wonderful teachers and the O’Donnells, it sheds light on the importance of the AP program for students from every background."
Celebrating with the first O’Donnell Texas AP Teacher of the Year Award recipient, Robert Dennison (center) are, from left, College Board President Gaston Caperton, Edith O’Donnell, Peter O’Donnell and Morton H. Meyerson. CFT administers the fund awarding the $30,000 prize, made possible by a grant from the Morton H. Meyerson Family Tzedakah Fund.