McCall Elementary School 2026

Jennifer Moreno

McCall Elementary School - 2nd Grade Elementary Teacher 
E-mail congrats

Teaching Philosophy

“CAMP TEJAS! CAMP TEJAS!” I remember the loud and proud chanting when I volunteered at Camp Tejas with my mom in the summer of 2002. Teaching has been something I wanted to do since the end of middle school. Camp Tejas was a Plano ISD summer program for children with disabilities. At Camp Tejas, I got to see these amazing teachers and paraprofessionals work so hard to make learning fun and welcoming for students. That is when I knew I wanted to be a teacher.

From that point on, my focus was on doing what I could to become a teacher. I remember sitting with my high school counselor at Vines trying to decide what foreign language I wanted to take. In our conversation, I mentioned that I wanted to major in special education in college. They suggested I take American Sign Language (ASL) when I went to Plano Senior High. During my time at Plano Senior High, I took ASL and early childhood classes. I realized that teaching was my heart’s desire. After researching excellent colleges for education, I chose Stephen F. Austin State University. Many amazing professors helped solidify my path for teaching. They taught me how to celebrate differences, build relationships, and always keep the students’ interests at heart.

Once I graduated, I knew the only place I wanted to work was for Plano ISD. I felt like it was in my blood to work for the district. Not only was I a student of Plano ISD, but both my mom and my sister worked for Plano. My mom started working for Plano ISD when I was in fifth grade, and my sister started working in Plano when I was in college. It would be a dream come true if I were hired. I would carry on the family tradition of educator excellence. Being a proud product of Plano ISD, I wanted to give back the same experience and dedication I experienced with my teachers.

Over the years, I have had the experience of working under some amazing principals and teachers. One of the most important factors in teaching is making sure students feel safe and welcome in any classroom. They need to have a place outside of their home where they can feel that someone is there for them. My students know that I am cheering them on, helping them learn, exploring exciting new ideas, and conquering any challenge they face with the tools and skills to be successful. I strive to ensure that relationships are built and cherished day in and day out. Every student deserves this!

year, I had a student who was being tested for dyslexia. His parents shared with me at the start of the school year about his struggles and how hard he was on himself because he could not read or write like all his peers. I remember pulling him aside when I had the class do a beginning-of-the-year writing assignment. Being a student with dyslexia myself, I understood that reading and writing were hard, and I shared with him that I also struggled with these same subjects. I remember I had some great teachers who helped me with reading and writing, and I would do the same for him. I wanted to make sure he had the confidence my teacher instilled in me when I was struggling to believe in myself. When he did qualify for services, I pulled him aside and asked him if he remembered our conversation about reading and writing. What he did not know at the time was that I was dyslexic too. He was shocked to discover that I struggled at his age, too. I told him that being dyslexic would not stop him from being the best student he could be. From that day on, he had a desire to work hard and not give up. We would celebrate his accomplishments together, and I would be there when he second-guessed himself. My hope is that when he grows up, he knows that he can conquer any challenge. Dyslexia did not stop me from becoming the teacher that I am, and it will not stop him from being whoever he wants to be.

Teaching is a position where we get to see so many different aspects of our students' lives. We celebrate and witness our students learn something new or see that light bulb shine bright when they understand or overcome a challenge. I always want to be there for them, guide them through this small part of their life, teach them to work hard, take on any challenge head-on, and know that they can do and be whatever they dream. Just like I am!

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Principal's Recommendation

Dear Plano ISD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

It is with great pride and wholehearted enthusiasm that I recommend Ms. Jennifer Moreno, McCall Elementary's 2025–2026 Campus Teacher of the Year, for consideration as Plano ISD District Teacher of the Year. Ms. Moreno represents the very best of our profession: an educator who leads with heart, teaches with expertise, and serves with unwavering commitment to students, staff, and families. She embodies this year's district theme, "Team Plano ISD. It All Begins Here," not simply as a phrase, but as a lived reality in the way she shows up for others every day.

From the moment you step into Ms. Moreno's classroom, you can feel what makes her exceptional. Students are known, valued, supported, and challenged. Her teaching is grounded in strong relationships and driven by high expectations, both academically and socially. Ms. Moreno creates a learning environment where students feel safe taking risks, confident using their voice, and motivated to grow. She deeply believes that every student deserves to feel capable and celebrated, and she works tirelessly to ensure that becomes true for each learner in her care.

Ms. Moreno's impact is especially powerful because she connects with students on a personal level and uses her own story to inspire theirs. She often shares how her passion for teaching began as a young volunteer at Camp Tejas, a Plano ISD summer program for children with disabilities, where she witnessed educators make learning welcoming, joyful, and meaningful for all students. That early experience shaped her lifelong commitment to celebrating differences, building relationships, and keeping students at the center of every decision. She also reflects on her own experience with dyslexia and how that perspective has helped her empower students who struggle, especially those who need an adult who truly understands their frustration and can help them find confidence again. Ms. Moreno reminds students that challenges do not define them, and she models resilience, perseverance, and self-belief in a way that students carry with them long after they leave her classroom.

In addition to her instructional strength, Ms. Moreno is a trusted and respected leader on our campus. She builds collaborative relationships across grade levels, seeks input from others, and shares her expertise generously. Ms. Moreno strengthens the work of those around her through her steady presence, proactive support, and solution-oriented mindset. She is a consistent source of guidance for instructional planning, student support, and campus systems, and she approaches every challenge with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to doing what is best for kids.

Ms. Moreno also exemplifies what it means to lead through service. She steps in wherever needed, contributes meaningfully to schoolwide priorities, and invests in McCall's overall success. She has played a key role in strengthening our campus culture through PBIS, helping ensure clear expectations, consistent practices, and a positive environment where students feel supported and motivated to succeed. Even in a demanding school year, Ms. Moreno remains focused, student- centered, and committed to creating the conditions for both academic and behavioral growth.

One of Ms. Moreno's greatest strengths is her ability to reach and grow students of all backgrounds and abilities. She focuses on the whole child, meets students where they are, and pushes them forward with the right balance of support and challenge. Her instruction reflects a deep belief in equity, and she is relentless in her advocacy to ensure that no child is overlooked. Ms. Moreno ensures students receive what they need to succeed while helping them build confidence, independence, and pride in their progress.

Ms. Moreno is also a leader in innovation and engagement. She leverages technology thoughtfully to elevate learning experiences and increase student participation. She is often at the forefront of piloting new tools and strategies, then helps others implement them effectively. Her innovative approach strengthens instruction, improves efficiency, and increases engagement for both students and staff.

Above all, Ms. Moreno makes our campus stronger. Ms. Moreno is the kind of educator who makes everyone around her better. Her teammates describe her as their "right hand," a selfless leader who radiates positivity, shows patience and kindness, and loves her students and colleagues fiercely. She brings people together, strengthens systems, and contributes to a culture where students and staff can thrive. That is the definition of Team Plano ISD: a teacher who understands that excellence is built through shared purpose, collaboration, and a commitment to doing what is best for kids.

Ms. Jennifer Moreno is an outstanding representative of McCall Elementary, and she is equally deserving of recognition as Plano ISD's District Teacher of the Year. She is a difference-maker, a campus leader, and a champion for children. Her work reflects the highest standards of our district and the deepest values of public education. It all begins here, in classrooms like hers, with teachers like Ms. Moreno who change lives one student at a time!

Sincerely,

Emily Huechteman
Principal
McCall Elementary School