LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Camillia Head

Position: Third Grade Bilingual-ESL Teacher
School: Highlands Elementary School
School District: Cedar Hill ISD
City, State: Cedar Hill, TX

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Camillia Head was nominated by her colleague, Sharon Snowton.

Mrs. Head began her teaching career over twenty three years ago in Illinois. She worked as a teacher's assistant, but had a desire to become a teacher. She returned to college to attend classes at night while working during the day. Mrs. Head did this until she obtained her certification to teach. She worked very hard to earn the certification and is an inspiration to all young people today. She is a bilingual teacher and a Gifted & Talented certified educator.

Mrs. Head eventually came to Texas to teach, and Highlands Elementary School was lucky enough to get her. She works in the Dual Language Program with English and Spanish dominant students, making sure they all have equal access to being bilingual, bi-literate and bicultural. She has made a beneficial difference in the lives of her students by working with them to make sure their needs are met. Mrs. Head is always willing to go that extra mile for her students and their families. She comes in early and leaves late to make sure her students are successful.

Mrs. Head adds to the development of Highlands Elementary by participating in different committees that support student learning. She sponsors the Highlands Dance Club and helps sponsor the Spanish Club when offered. She co-teaches on a triad team, where she is the teacher in charge of Spanish Language Arts and English Language Arts. Her DLE students leave her classes with a deep understanding of the literature of two cultures, and a desire to learn more. She utilizes Gomez & Gomez to help prepare her students to live in a bilingual and bicultural world.

She has helped displaced families in her community by helping them find affordable living. The job of social services is not her job, but she wants to make sure that every child is able to learn and grow. Children cannot learn if they are worried about where they and their families will sleep. She cares about her students as if they were her own. She is known in the community as a teacher who will always help outside the classroom.

"There are those who think teaching is a 7:30 am to 3pm job, but Mrs. Head knows that there are times you must help beyond those hours," Snowton said. "It is the moral thing to do, and the right thing to do. She is that teacher! "

Mrs. Head attends bilingual and ESL workshops to stay up to date with current teaching strategies to make sure her DLE students get the best education. She utilizes these strategies in her classroom, teaching her students to do and be the best they can. She believes education is a must for all to be successful. Mrs. Head has a commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere to all her students, while requiring the best from them.

"She takes 'being an educator' to a whole new level for me as a colleague because she is always doing something to help her students," Snowton said. "It is a privilege to work with Mrs. Head, as she is most definitely a LifeChanger!"

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Comments (8)

AnaVictoria Braun Posted over a year ago

Camilia is a Life Changer in her generosity of time and resources with her students, her students' families, co- workers, friends, neighbors, and friends she has not yet met. Camilia is an asset to people's lives, she serves the underserved with a clear sense of their dignity first and foremost. She provides help that is relevant, skillful and she does so with intelligence. She also mentors children and other adults in how they can grow to become dependable support persons in their community. I appreciate your nominating her. Her contributions are in the realm of Life Changer since she has been involved with such a variety of service providing organizations as a volunteer for decades.

Ann Washington Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Head is such a sweetie. She is outgoing, positive, and committed to developing her students.

Cristina Wray Posted over a year ago

Some people are born with a loving, caring, and understanding heart for working with Students and Mrs. Head is a prime example. Always making sure her students are prepared for their day going above and beyond the call of duty. Purchasing shoes, school supplies, coats for the kids and making sure the students have awesome Mother's Day and Father's Day gift. Thank you for investing in the future of our children.... Mrs. Head is truly a LifeChanger!

Marshall Snowton Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Head is a wonderful bilingual teacher. I have the privilege of meeting her on several occasions as she and my grandmother work on the same grade level team. Our family has much respect and admiration for Mrs. Head. Her early life was not always easy, but she had wonderful parents who taught her the importance of an education and hard work. She went to college and got her degree in education. She shares her story with her students to motivate them to stay in school. At Highlands Elementary she sponsors the dance club and co-sponsors the Spanish Club. She comes early and stays late to tutor those students who need extra help. She rewards them by making special t-shirts for them. These t-shirts will say things like "I passed the benchmark " or "I am a great reader ". She does really cool things to get her students to read and write by having them publish a book. My grandmother has a copy of Mrs. Head's students books from last year and this year. I glanced through them. These little kids are pretty good writers. This year they did a lot of funny poems on popcorn. Mrs. Head is an inspiration to all. Her students love her and her colleagues respect her. She is always willing to give a hand to those who need help. She works with an organization each year to provide free school supplies and free book bags for students. If students needs uniforms she is willing to provide the uniform. My grandmother told me that Mrs. Head bought coats for a family because she did not want the kids cold during the winter. To me that is a teacher who truly cares about her students. She is most definitely a Life Changer to her students. She realizes it takes more than just inside the classroom to help a child. Sometimes you have to get out of the classroom to help the child succeed. I hope Life Changer of the Year will recognize this teacher for what she does in her school district and in the Highlands Community. She is a shy person who deserves recognition. Thank you Mrs. Head for all you do.

Nancy Yedlowski Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Head is a great teacher that the students love and the staff at her school admire! She's always smiling and has a positive attitude.

Monica Balderas Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Head works hard to ensure that her students are successful. She looks for ways to engage her students in two languages. She is also very giving with her time by sponosing an after school dance club. Mrs. Head has a quick smile and loving personality.

Rosa Quintero Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Head is indeed a caring individual. She is cheerful. positive, and committed to teaching. She deserves to be recognized for her hard work and dedication.

Erica Moreno Posted over a year ago

Great person,friend teacher and colleague.