Williams High School 2026

Stephanie Hirsch

Williams High School - Math Department Chair – Algebra, Algebra II, AP Pre-Calculus, Grades 9-10
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Teaching Philosophy

There is nothing more powerful than learning something new; discovering connections between what you know and what is possible and expanding your understanding of the world around you. It is my privilege to get to be part of this experience with my students each day. Whether the discoveries are big or small, they serve to empower students to grow, develop confidence, and stay curious. Being a teacher provides me with the opportunity to do something I love, facilitating learning and fostering students' potential. I firmly believe that if you know how to learn, you can learn to do anything. It's not about being the smartest person in the room, but rather the willingness to make connections and seek out information to develop an understanding of something new. This mindset is encouraged and modeled from day one in my classroom for students at all levels.

I use the word facilitate deliberately. Teaching is not just telling or showing. It is guiding students and creating learning experiences where they can interact with content in meaningful ways. This idea informs my personal teaching style each day. As a high school mathematics teacher, this isn't always easy due to the abstract nature of the content and so it is important to be flexible and agile not only in the moment, but in our planning and preparation as well. No two groups of students are the same and the resources available to us are always changing. It's one of the things I truly enjoy about teaching. Not only do I get to facilitate learning, but I get to be a learner myself, working to discover the ways to best meet my students' needs. This willingness to adapt and grow is one of the things that makes me an impactful and effective teacher. I am constantly looking for useful tools and ways of explaining things to better help my students connect with the learning. Sometimes it's just a matter of presenting the information in a different way, while at other times, it may be utilizing a new resource to help students visualize and connect with an idea. Although I have been teaching the same general courses for years, the way my students and I engage with the content now is light-years beyond where I started.

While modeling a passion for learning is important, what truly makes me stand out is my ability to forge strong, lasting relationships with my students. From day one, students in my classroom and across our campus know that I care about them, not just as learners, but as human beings and members of our community. They understand I want to get to know them while supporting their passions and providing them with a safe space to grow and discover who they are now and where they would like to be in their future. You can find me at almost every home game during the football season and there is rarely a music concert that I miss. Showing up for my students regularly shows them that I recognize and celebrate their worth, which results in their willingness to reciprocate by actively participating in the classroom. Year after year, I have students coming back to visit because they know they will always be welcome in my classroom.

These relationships we build with students, along with the pleasure of seeing them flourish and sharing many "ah-ha" moments, are some of the most rewarding parts of being a teacher. Knowing you are making a meaningful impact in your community is a reward in and of itself, but there is also the day-to-day fun of working with young people. As a mentor teacher on my campus, I have the privilege of participating in our onboarding days with new teachers each year. Something I share with them about what I love about teaching is how I get the chance to laugh every day. No matter how hard things are or what's happening on campus, there is always something that brings me joy, whether an interaction with a student or an inside joke with a colleague. I'm forever grateful for these experiences and am excited about what challenges await us.

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Principal's Recommendation

Dear Teacher of the Year Selection Committee:

It is truly an honor to write this letter of recommendation on behalf of Stephanie Hirsch for Plano ISD's Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie and I taught together years ago during McMillen High School's opening year. As a colleague of Stephanie's, I immediately picked up on her innate leadership abilities both in and out of the classroom. Fast forward more than a decade, and Williams High School was fortunate enough to add Stephanie to our staff and our leadership team.

Stephanie's excellence in the classroom is matched by her excellence as a colleague and a teacher leader. Our newest math department member perfectly captured Stephanie's essence when she said that "Excellence is not an act, but a habit, and she lives it daily." I challenge anyone to attempt to outwork Stephanie. And because of her myriad abilities, she achieves more during her long work hours than can be imagined. She is organized, knowledgeable of technology, an expert in her field, an outstanding leader, and an unmatched teacher. Matt Patterson, another math teammate, points out that "Steph rarely says ‘no' to anything, but rather she challenges us to be better individually and to use that success to grow a stronger collective of math teachers through our PLC."

Stephanie possesses some rare but invaluable traits that make her a top-notch teacher, an incredible colleague, and a vital member of our staff. She has the ability to set expectations with firmness and love, deliver feedback with kindness and support, motivate others, and encourage participation by creating safe spaces. These traits are vital for every teacher, but they are especially valuable for a teacher who works with such a wide variety of students (from AP Pre-Cal to modified Algebra I). As a principal, I have complete trust in Stephanie Hirsch. We often seek out her opinion and feedback prior to introducing ideas to leadership and staff, and we always listen closely when she comes to us with questions, concerns, or ideas. She is a barometer for our campus, and her instincts are spot-on when it comes to students, colleagues, and campus culture.

Ms. Hirsch's classroom is challenging, engaging, and safe for everyone. She teaches our math extremes of AP Pre-Cal and on-level Algebra 1, and she excels with all groups. More importantly, her students excel under her tutelage. With every classroom visit, I see clear evidence of trust, open communication, risk-taking for the sake of learning, engagement from bell to bell, passion for learning, passion for teaching, and strong relationships.

Stephanie is the teacher that students remember, and the colleague that teachers learn from. In fact, her impact with colleagues reaches far beyond her math team as Stephanie serves as one of our mentors for new teachers. She's the mentor who takes time to sit with new teachers, one-on-one, to ensure their questions are answered and their worries are heard. She attends nearly every extracurricular event to support her students, sponsors NJHS, and is the teacher that kids come back to visit.

Our students and teachers are so lucky to have someone like Ms. Hirsch in their daily school lives. I've watched her positively change a student's outlook on their math abilities and a teacher's outlook on their teaching. She models kindness, flexibility, passion, and hard work in everything she does. Ms. Hirsch is the type of teacher I always hoped and prayed for on behalf of my own kids. Stephanie Hirsch is, quite possibly, the hardest working and most impactful teacher and teacher leader I've ever had the privilege of working with. It is truly my honor to recommend Stephanie Hirsch for Plano ISD's Teacher of the Year.

Sincerely,

Jill Engelking
Principal
Williams High School