JOHNSON CITY — Pedernales Electric Cooperative announced the winners of its new Teacher Spotlight Award, intended to recognize the superb work teachers do in their classrooms and in their communities.

PEC members submitted online nominations for nearly 300 teachers and answered questions, including examples of how the nominees have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their students’ lives, exhibited a commitment to education, or shown innovation in their teaching.

Sarah Apple, Rooster Springs Elementary

“Teachers are the building blocks of our communities and their futures,” said PEC Community Outreach Specialist Kevyn Packer. “They give so selflessly to their students and in honor of their dedication we want to recognize their hard work by fulfilling their wish-list items.”

The following teachers were selected for PEC’s Teacher Spotlight Award:

• Sarah Apple — Third grade teacher at Rooster Springs Elementary School; Dripping Springs ISD
• Jennifer Higa-Rolls — First grade teacher at Tobias Elementary School; Hays CISD
• Helen Long — Second and third grade reading teacher at Junction Elementary School; Junction ISD
• Katrina Parker — Pre-K teacher at Cox Elementary School; Leander ISD
• Daniel Paschal — High school robotics teacher — Liberty Hill High School; Liberty Hill ISD
• JR Voyles — Math teacher at Blanco High School; Blanco ISD

Jennifer Higa-Rolls, Tobias Elementary School

PEC surprised the winners at their school and presented the award to them with a thank you basket of their wish list items and materials to support their classroom. In addition to the teacher basket, PEC also awarded circuit builder kits to eight schools in the cooperative’s service area:

• Bill Burden Elementary — Liberty Hill ISD
• Colt Elementary — Marble Falls ISD
• Jacob’s Well Elementary — Wimberley ISD
• Kyle Elementary — Hays CISD
• Rodriguez Elementary — San Marcos CISD
• One Day Academy — Home school, Bulverde

The co-op’s circuit builder kits come complete with more than 90 pieces of basic circuit-building supplies and useful resources to teach young students about electricity and circuits. Through hands-on learning, PEC’s circuit kits provide teachers with instructions and lessons to help students learn about circuits, conductors and insulators.

Members and teachers can learn more about PEC’s educational programs at pec.coop/youth-programs.