Baumann named “Texan of the Month” at WISD

Danforth Junior High English teacher Erin Baumann is the March recipient of the district’s “Texan of the Month” honor, a Wimberley ISD employee recognition program. Honorees are nominated by WISD co-workers for positively exemplifying the district’s vision of excellence, innovation, and service.

Baumann, who is in her fourth year at WISD, and fourteenth year as a classroom teacher, was surprised with the award by WISD and DJH administrators on March 28th as she led a lesson in the DJH outdoor classroom. Baumann, who teaches grade seven honors English and is the Danforth English department chair, said she was completely shocked by the recognition and was truly honored, “I love teaching at Danforth and I am always happy to come to work. Everyone works together for our students and for each other.”

Baumann was nominated by DJH math teacher Marie Bernick, who said Baumann is always looking for fun ways to keep her students’ attention, “(She) always has something fun with which to engage her students, like wearing a giant hat or taking her students outside to read for “Free Reading Every Day” time, or by hosting a literacy night,” wrote on the nomination form. “She celebrates students by strumming her ukulele and singing to them in the cafeteria, and when they leave for sporting events, she grabs her pom poms and sends them off with a good luck cheer.”

In return, Baumann credits the Danforth team and teachers like Bernick for her success, “I am so lucky to work with her and the rest of the seventh grade team to plan ways to help our students be successful and have fun while doing it,” said Baumann. “We really are a team here at Danforth.”

Bernick also wrote that all of the interactions she has with Baumann end with something positive. “That’s been really impactful on me and when I find myself frustrated over what students did or did not do, I will re- mind myself of something Erin would say, “Find something positive.”

Along with the honor of being named Texan of the Month, each recipient receives a $250 cash gift from a community sponsor, as well as a certificate to receive a free massage from the Wimberley Med Spa and a gift certificate for a free service from Salon Divino. March’s cash sponsor was Stevens and Malone, PLLC. Recipients also receive a custom “Texan of the Month” coin, generously provided by Darren Masur with Centex Recognition.