The 2024-2025 teacher of promise award was given to Mallory Warrix, the new 8th grade English language science teacher.
The teacher of promise is an award that occurs every year just like the teacher of the year but it’s different from the teacher of the year and other awards. The teacher of promise has to first be a first-year teacher, not just at Lively, but in their first year of teaching in general and the award is nominated by administration as well as the principal. Admin team votes on the award.
What do students think of the Teacher of Promise this year?
“I am very happy for Ms. Warrix winning the award. I think she won the award because of her willingness to teach. She’s also very nice, cooperative and she kinda doesn’t lack in anything. She gets everything done. I think she does deserve the teacher of promise award because she is a hard worker and passionate about her job,” said 8th grader Walter Martin-Caswell.
“I feel very happy for Ms. Warrix winning the teacher of promise award. I think Ms Warrix won the teacher of promise award because she goes out of her way to make activities like this for us but a lot of kids find it boring but to me I find it pretty fun and I just really like how she makes learning fun for us. What I like about Ms. Warrix is a silly gal. I think she has a good sense of humor and that she is a good teacher. Okay and here’s the thing: she’s a good teacher but there are 3 types of teacher. A teacher that is fun but can’t teach well, a teacher that is strict but teaches well and a teacher that teaches well and is fun at the same time and I think Ms. Warrix is that teacher that is fun and good at learning. I think Ms. Warrix deserved the teacher of promise award because she just works hard for her students and is just a good teacher that goes above and beyond. I do want to add one last thing and that is that I think that her cat is really cute,” said 8th grader Maggie
“I think she really deserved the award because she’s a really good teacher and she has taught me alot. I think she won the award because she is a good teacher but you can really tell she cares about her job and that she really really likes teaching and I really think that helps people learn better. What I like about Ms. Warrix is that she makes fun activities for us and that she lets us have fun brain breaks. I think she deserves the award because she really cares and really wants us to pass the STAAR test as well as I said she’s a very fun teacher,” said 8th grader Dot McColgin.
Who is Mallory Warrix?
Warrix is the 8th grade English science teacher and it is her first year teaching at Lively and first year teaching in general. “I graduated last May and about this time last year I was student teaching,” said Warrix.
When asked what made her come to Lively, Warrix said, “I interviewed all over AISD and something about the people at Lively just really felt like I was welcomed and a great fit. And many schools felt like we are already great. How can you help us become greater? But when I came to Lively it felt like you’re great. I think you’d make us become greater.”
Warrix got inspiration to become a teacher in multiple ways. “Well many teachers grew up playing with all their dolls and they became teachers but I worked at a bug zoo and took care of bugs and many different species like tarantulas and different types of crabs and stuff. And we’d take them to fairs and boy scout troops and show them to kids and taught them about bugs and just talk about them” And during that I realized that I love explaining and answering questions so it sort of led me to a teaching career,” said Warrix.
Warrix was asked what she thinks of earning the teacher of promise award. “I think I worked a lot with positive energy and that I am excited about what I teach. And as well as the passion I have for science,” said Warrix. “It feels very good getting the acknowledgement and validation because teaching can cause insecurities where you’re like am I doing a good job? I don’t know and when you get the validation and acknowledgement it can get rid of all that insecurity and make you feel good about yourself.”
Warrix had another first year teacher in mind to win the award if it were up to her. “I would definitely give it to Ms. Havelka, the dance teacher. Me and Ms. Havelka have talked a lot and she is a first year teacher as well. I also have seen all the awards dance has gotten this year and I think she has done a great job and I think she deserves the award for that,” Warrix said.
Warrix thinks she has fulfilled her role as teacher of promise. “I hope I have, I mean I come every day and I am doing my absolute best and I think I am doing pretty good so far students seem to like the class, admin seems to like it as well and I like my job. But really all I can answer is that I really hope I am fulfilling that role. Every day I come and do my best and that’s my promise to myself and the campus,” said Warrix.
Warrix will also be honored at the AISD Salute Awards in May.
