San Marcos CISD TX Teacher To Receive National Excellence In Teaching Award

Learning Ally, a national nonprofit organization that serves students and individuals who read and learn differently due to dyslexia, blindness and other disabilities, is pleased to announce that Crockett Elementary School Special Education Teacher, Connie Bagley is a recipient of this year’s Winslow Coyne Reitnouer

Excellence in Teaching Award. This prestigious award, presented to only two educators each year throughout the country, recognizes exemplary leadership and innovative efforts in classroom instruction for students who struggle to read because of learning differences and visual disabilities.

Connie and her co-winner from Colorado were selected from approximately 100 teacher nominees across the country.  These exceptional teachers were nominated by students, parents, and other educators.

Alongside her family, Connie will be honored on April 7th during the Learning Ally Student Success and Achievement celebration in Denver, Colorado, as part of the organization’s 57th annual National Achievement Awards.

Connie is passionate about inspiring a love of literacy in her students and incorporates colorful creativity in her approach to teaching. By inviting the parents and family members of her students to take part in their reading experience, she creates a community of learning that continues beyond school hours at home. 

With Connie’s gift of celebrating individual student achievement, students feel empowered and learn to advocate for themselves.

Connie uses Learning Ally audiobook technology and additional multimedia intervention strategies to show her students they can read literature well above their current reading level.

This not only inspires confidence in students, but also a renewed love of reading. Connie’s students feel motivated to accomplish more because she shows them every day their possibilities are endless.

Learning Ally is honored to recognize Connie, and is proud to continue its work with the great teachers, administrators, and students in Texas, through the organization’s partnership with the Texas Education Agency.

This partnership allows Learning Ally audiobook technology to be provided to every K-12 public, private and charter school in TX.

Connie’s students once again took part in Learning Ally’s Third Annual Great Reading Games national reading contest for students with dyslexia and blindness. This year –  17,317 students in more than 1,200 schools read 5.3 million pages in only seven weeks.

Competing students were cheered on by Superbowl champion Malcolm Mitchell and best-selling authors Lauren Tarshis and Jeff Kinney. Connie’s students, who were also personally encouraged by hometown star JJ Watt, placed in the Top 1% of schools across the nation in the games for the third year in a row.

“Teachers like Connie and her amazing colleagues in San Marcos CISD are on the front lines of driving change in the mainstream educational system,” says Terrie Noland, National Director of Educator Engagement at Learning Ally.  “They have truly leveled the playing field and fostered a passion for learning in their students. We’re very grateful to the Reitnouer family for enabling us to highlight Connie’s achievements through this esteemed award, and to the great state of Texas for allowing us to be your partner in learning.”

San Marcos CISD Superintendent of Schools Michael Cardona added, “Mrs. Bagley has faithfully served the children of San Marcos not only as an exceptional instructor, but also as an educational equity advocate who promotes the love of literacy.   Connie has taught children to understand that their dyslexia is not a deficit, but an opportunity to show creativity and intelligence through multiple methods. Connie’s dedication for teaching students the love of learning has garnered not only local and state recognition but national recognition as well. San Marcos CISD is proud this national recognition highlights an incredible educator and thanks Learning Ally for their support of all teachers across the United States.”