On the evening of May 9, seventy-three teacher of the year campus nominees from every school were honored during the Teacher of the Year Gala at the Plano Event Center. This year's theme: Honoring a Year of Adventures included elements from the book Alice in Wonderland written by Lewis Carroll. Thank you to the many sponsors who made this event possible by providing sponsorships and gifts for nominees, finalists and the winning teachers of the year.

Shepard Elementary School students performed a medley of songs from Alice in Wonderland, Jr. directed by Dana Sosebee, Shepard Elementary music teacher. Superintendent Sara Bonser served as the Queen of Hearts, and made the surprise announcement of the 10 Excellence in Teaching finalists. From these 10 finalists, the 2019 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year for the district were selected - Kulsum Mzee, Shepard Elementary and Daniel Cox, Plano West Senior High School. Read more about the 2019 Teachers of the Year and the Excellence in Teaching Award winners.

Special appreciation is extended to the Plano West Senior High School floral design students, instructed by Cristen Graf, for their creative centerpiece designs.

Front row: Secondary Teacher of the Year Daniel Cox, Plano West Senior High and Elementary Teacher of the Year Kulsum Mzee, Shepard Elementary; back row: Board President Missy Bender, Patrick Jaccar with Park Place Lexus, Don Mitchell with Park Place Lexus and Superintendent of Schools Sara Bonser.

2019 Plano ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year

• Daniel Cox, Plano West Senior High School - Plano ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year
• Kulsum Mzee, Shepard Elementary - Plano ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year

Elementary Excellence in Teaching

• Cynthia Buggs, Barron Elementary School
• James Fossier, McCall Elementary School
• Sarah Mighell, Centennial Elementary School
• LaGwenna Redwine, Wells Elementary School

Secondary Excellence in Teaching

• Kevin May, Plano Senior High School
• Dena McCutcheon, Murphy Middle School
• Andreina Russell, Schimelpfenig Middle School
• Laura Spear, Vines High School

James Fossier, Dena McCutcheon, Andreina Russell, LaGwenna Redwine, Kulsum Mzee, Daniel Cox, Sarah Mighell, Kevin May, Laura Spear and Cynthia Buggs