Dupre, Segrest honored as ‘Teachers of the Year’

Written by: Mike Zimmerman on September 21, 2008 at 3:27 pm

The 2007- 2008 “Teacher of The Year” Awards were given to faculty members, Computer Maintenance teacher Robyn Segrest and Webmastery/Multimedia teacher Sean Dupre, by a program coordinated by the Lufkin Alumni Association to provide a male and a female teacher with an Endowment Fund.

According to the Director of Alumni Relations Janice Ann Rowe, the winning teachers receive a cash gift and other honors.

“They also get a plaque and will be recognized,” she said. “More nominations were turned in for this year than in the past.”

One award winner, Dupre, said he was not expecting to be one of the winners for the award.

“I felt honored, humble and surprised when my name was called,” Dupre said.

Throughout his seven years teaching “outside the box” at LHS, Dupre said he has not imagined winning an award like this.

“I had told my students that I would never win a Teacher of The Year Award because I am not a traditional stand up kind of teacher,” Dupre said.

However, teaching his students a different way has its achievements.

“It is rewarding to be recognized,” Dupre said. “And if I never get another award I will be happy with this one.”

The award included a plaque and $1,000.

“The plaque is more important to me,” Dupre said. “The money is no big deal.”

But Dupre said receiving the cash prize did serve as a progressive purpose.

“With the money I received I am going to pay off my wife’s student loan from SFA,” he said. “I thought it would be a good way of spending my money.”

According to Dupre, a lot of influence crosses the paths of students and that is what makes students remember at least one teacher.

“That is what is cool about being a teacher,” Dupre said.

Another award winner, Segrest, said she had no clue she was even nominated.

“When they called my name I thought holy cow,” she said.

Segrest is said she is “honored” to receive this award and thankful for the students that she has.

“Without the students I would not be able to teach,” Segrest said. “And everything I learned about teaching has been from phenomenal teachers in the career and technology department.”

Segrest said she enjoys having the plaque and the cash prize to remind her of this year.

“The plaque is beautiful,” she said. “And with the money I plan to get a deck on the back of my house, my husband and I have always wanted a deck.”

Segrest said she was not sure wether she would hang the plaque in her classroom or her house, until she finally came to a conclusion.

“I think I am going to hang it on the deck at my house,” she said.

According to Segrest, this year has flown by fast.

“Golly gee, I was either busy with teaching stuff and if it was not that it was robot stuff,” she said. “I feel like I am still in September.”

As the year draws closer to the end, Segrest is making preparations for next year.

“Now is the time when I am getting ready for next year with robot stuff,” Segrest said. “And saying goodbye to my seniors this year, I hate that.”

According to Segrest, to describe this year in one word would be “overwhelming”.

“This has been a year of learning what my students are capable of doing and what actually can do,” Segrest said. “Challenges that require them to reach the sky and having them actually touch it.”

Requirements to nominate for the “2007-2008 Teacher of The Year Award” are to be a full time classroom teacher, Admistrative Staff Member or a current full time student.