Austin Darrow, the TCTELA High School Teacher of the Year for 2021, is a teacher who pushes others to be better teachers. While only in the literacy profession for a few short years, his impact on his students and on his colleagues will last a lifetime. He is a person you need and want on your campus. “His leadership in the way he expresses his humanity influences those around his to explore their humanity”, writes Charles Moore, colleague and nominator. Austin’s work as a high school teacher at Clear Creek High School has been the work of champions—he pursues literacy excellence as a football coach pursues wins and excellence. He strives every day, in a female-dominated profession, to be the male role model many students are missing in an ELAR classroom. As an English I and AP English literature teacher, he is able to see both ends of the teaching spectrum in high school. He sees students at the beginning of their tenure in high school and is lucky enough to push them to excellence at the end of their high school years.
PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS
2020 - Sarah Wilkins, Conroe ISD