Amanda Reyes
Position: Physical Education Teacher
School: Tippit Middle School
School District: Georgetown Independent School District
City, State: Georgetown, Texas
About the Nominee: Amanda Reyes exemplifies the meaning of compassion, team work, leadership, tolerance, responsibility and trust through everything she does. As a physical education teacher and sports coach, she instills strong moral values in her students. Although Coach Reyes coaches many sports, basketball is her biggest passion. She gives every student the opportunity to be a part of the team as long as they have a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. She looks after her students long after they leave Tippit, even going as far as inviting them to return to help coach the middle school students. Coach Reyes is often seen at high school volleyball and basketball games cheering on the kids she once coached. She is truly their biggest fan!Another of Coach Reyes' passions is fighting against childhood cancer. She helped organize Tippit's first annual “Dig Gold” volleyball game in September 2015 to raise money for cancer research and treatment. She encouraged students' involvement by suggesting they make posters to hang in the gym. Coach Reyes was also an active participant of Alex’s Million Mile, where Tippit students and staff collectively contributed over 4000 miles to the Georgetown team. In addition, she gave a group of 6th grade students the opportunity to organize an ice bucket challenge in memory of their friend who passed away from cancer. They raised $1300 for childhood cancer research!Because of her efforts, many students have been given opportunities that they would not have had otherwise. Through the ELITE club, for example, she gives girls not involved in other extracurricular activities the opportunity to learn leadership skills. She believes that every child has the potential to succeed, and she will do everything she can to make each child believe that they can make a difference.Last year, Coach Reyes was also in charge of the school’s No Place For Hate program and organized Diversity Day. The students in her club set up stations throughout the school representing different countries and their cultures. It gave the other children exposure to Georgetown's diverse population. More importantly, it sent them the message that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, regardless of where they come from.There are certain people who go above and beyond to touch the lives of kids around them, and Coach Reyes is one of these people. Her positive influence has changed so many lives at Tippit. The students are blessed to have her as their coach, teacher and mentor!https://youtu.be/J9fEa74HF5c
[nominee_videos nominee_email="maysa@georgetownisd.org"]