The Charles Pickitt Educator of the Year Awards recognize ATPE members who demonstrate exceptional or innovative capabilities in their respective educational fields. This year’s winners were honored during  the 2021 ATPE Virtual Summit. 

The 2021 Secondary Educator of the Year Award was presented to Kimberly Grosenbacher of Boerne ISD. The 2021-22 school year marks Kimberly’s 20th year as a government teacher. Currently, she teaches AP/dual credit U.S. government and politics and U.S. government at Samuel V. Champion High School. She has been an ATPE member for almost 20 years. 

ATPE reached out to Kimberly to find out what she enjoys most about her career. 

What is your favorite part of your job? 
Connecting with my students. I love to engage in conversations during my interactive discussions to see how my students think and how they apply the information they are learning from my class into their daily lives. This past year, due to COVID, I started a digital journal with my US government students that included a daily civics question. We would start each class with a discussion on the question, and students would share their perspectives. In this activity, I learned more about my students and how they thought, which helped me adjust my teaching. 

What is the most important thing you wish someone had told you when you started out in your career?
That the teaching workday does not end when the school dismissal bell rings. Teachers work countless hours outside of the normal school day, and most of the American public is not really aware of these work efforts. 

What is the most important thing Texas educators can do for their profession?
Join ATPE to have a voice, and learn more about the political process that impacts our profession. I have been attending the ATPE Summit for years now, and I learn so much at the House of Delegates. I enjoy voting on issues and voting for candidates running for ATPE state office. When I teach my students about participating in government, I talk about ATPE and the impact they have on legislators when it comes to education.  

Share your favorite moment as an educator.
In 2017, I learned one of my former students from my first year of teaching was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. I was so excited that I reached out and asked if we could meet for coffee when she was back in Boerne so I could learn about her experience. Instead, she suggested I come to Washington, D.C. for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Supreme Court, to attend a Supreme Court session, and to meet Justice Breyer. I was beyond excited about the opportunity and agreed to the visit after the school year ended. In June I traveled to D.C. and spent the morning at the Supreme Court. I was in awe as I sat and listened to the nine Supreme Court justices deliver court opinions. I have taught the Supreme Court proceedings to my students for almost 20 years and on that day, I was able to experience live what I had been teaching for so long. Denise, my former student, gave me a personal tour, including the prestigious Supreme Court basketball court, which is referred to as the highest court in the land. Lastly, she took me to meet Justice Breyer, who spoke so highly of Denise and graciously signed my pocket U.S. Constitution and took a picture with me. This was truly an amazing opportunity made possible by my former student. 

What’s your favorite Texas vacation?
I love the beach, and every year I go to Port Aransas. I also enjoy the Texas state parks and hike whenever I can get away.  

Share something fun about yourself.
I love to run and compete in 5Ks whenever possible.