| Susie P. Gonzalez | 210-999-8406 | susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu |
| TWO HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AWARDED TRINITY PRIZE |
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April 4, 2002 – Two San Antonio high school teachers will be awarded the 2002 Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching for their outstanding performance in public education. Lyn Belisle, the fine arts and technology teacher at The Academy of Creative Education, and Robert J. Trigilio, an English teacher at Harlandale High School, have been selected from 17 distinguished educators nominated by area school districts for their commitment and passion to education. The Trinity Prize winners and nominees will be honored at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19 during Trinity University’s annual Kappa Delta Pi lecture and awards ceremony in the Margarite B. Parker Chapel. This year’s event marks the 21st year of the Trinity Prize, which was instituted by the University’s department of education to honor and recognize outstanding public school teachers in greater San Antonio.
As a teacher, she is able to create a non-threatening environment in which her students can develop their full potential. Two years ago, she was selected North East Teacher of the Year and Region 20 Teacher of the Year. Her community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for the San Antonio Botanical Society and the San Antonio Herb Society, on the newsletter committee for Friends of the San Antonio Public Library, founding and directing the Internet Society of South Texas, and founding ACE Ink, a student design service for the community. Mrs. Belisle holds a master’s degree in teaching from Trinity University and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, where she was among the first class of women to be admitted to that institution.
Mr. Trigilio holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s University. Along with recognition as the 2002 Trinity Prize winners, Mrs. Belisle and Mr. Trigilio each will receive a $2,000 cash prize. The other 15 distinguished educators each will receive a $1,000 cash award. Joining Trinity University as partners in giving the awards are the H.E.B. Grocery Co. and the San Antonio Express-News. A panel of San Antonio business and community leaders selected the winners. This year’s committee included Dr. Homero Garza, a gastroenterologist in private practice; Joe McKinney, chairman of the board and CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase Bank; Al Silva, general manager of Labatt Food Service; and two Trinity students – Brooke Earl ’03, the Kappa Delta Pi Outstanding Junior in Education; and Kristen Phillips ’02, the Kappa Delta Pi Outstanding Senior in Education.
The April 19 program is free and open to the public. A reception will follow on the Bell Tower Plaza. For more information, contact Trinity’s department of education at (210) 999-7501. |
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Last updated on April 11, 2002 by the Office of Public Relations |
Mrs.
Belisle is a teacher, artist, and writer who has taught a range of fine
arts, humanities, English, and graphic design classes within the North
East Independent School District for more than 30 years. Previously,
she taught fine arts and crafts at Alamo Heights Junior School. Mrs.
Belisle believes “there is not a day without discovery.” In her current
position at the Academy of Creative Education, she not only teaches
fine arts and technology but also serves as the campus Webmaster and
computer network coordinator, takes an integral role in developing the
campus plan and budget, and trains the school staff in technology, among
other duties.
Mr.
Trigilio is credited with having such an infectious enthusiasm for learning
that he is able to work with all students of all ability levels and
backgrounds at Harlandale High School. Students in his English classes
learn what is needed to succeed in college and in life. He is known
for using the names of students and their interests as his class examples,
thus allowing students to feel a connection to the lessons he teaches.
Through Mr. Trigilio’s wit, intelligence, and talent, students learn
to analyze difficult literary passages and to see beyond words of stories
and poems to reach universal truths. He tutors students before and after
school, prompting many parents to request him as a teacher. Many former
students view him as a father figure. He uses his position as Student
Council sponsor to organize toy drives and canned food drives as well
as pep rallies that are considered so much fun that former students
often attend. In addition, Mr. Trigilio is a member of the PTA and is
active in civic and religious organizations. 
During
the ceremony, Michele Forman, the 2001 National Teacher of the
Year, will deliver remarks about the education profession. Mrs. Forman
is a social studies teacher at Middlebury Union High School in Middlebury,
Vt. In her classroom, Mrs. Forman emphasizes a strong teacher and learner
relationship and is especially supportive of classes that include students
with varied backgrounds and ability levels. As part of her continuous
study of world history, she learned the Arabic language. She also helped
several students at her school form the Student Coalition on Human Rights
to explore cultural diversity and the elimination of poverty as a group
project.