Mr. Terry Dalton of Lubbock has been named the Texas Classroom Teachers Association’s 2014-15 Friend of Education in the private citizen category. TCTA, a professional association for teachers and other classroom professionals, annually presents its Friend of Education Award to honor an individual who has shown extraordinary commitment to public education in Texas.
Lubbock CTA, a local affiliate of the statewide TCTA, nominated Dalton for the award for his “significant contribution to our community schools.” Dalton, chief analyst for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, also serves on the Board of Directors for the West Texas Running Club (WTRC), and has committed many hours to sharing his passion for running and fitness with Lubbock school students.
“His dedication to our schools is vital,” said Donna Corbin, nominator from the Lubbock CTA, and TCTA’s Membership Committee Chair. The nomination describes Dalton as “one of the biggest cheerleaders for kids,” and praises his leadership in promoting wellness through his work with children’s agencies and organizations.
Through his involvement with WTRC, Dalton directs two races, working closely with LISD physical education teachers to keep them apprised of the events and encourage students to participate. The races include a course designed specifically for children.
Dalton is also involved with “Team Kids Café,” a running club affiliated with the South Plains Food Bank’s Kids Café program. Kids Café is an after-school feeding program at several Lubbock locations designed to provide healthy and nutritious meals to children, and serves an average of 2,500 meals per week. The mission of Team Kids Café is to encourage a healthy lifestyle through both diet and exercise. Dalton produces a Kids Café Fun Run with WTRC every spring to help raise proceeds for the Food Bank.
Dalton worked hard to bring the Marathon Kids program into the LISD elementary schools, beginning in 2013. Marathon Kids participants complete 26.2 miles by running in increments of a quarter-mile from September to April, and the Lubbock CTA nominators praised the program for encouraging thousands of Lubbock students to make smart fitness and food choices, preparing them for a healthy life.
“The announcement that I had been selected as the 2014-15 TCTA Friend of Education – Private Citizen came as a complete surprise,” said Dalton. “I am deeply honored to receive this award. Winning this award reminds me that what I have accomplished as a volunteer is important and encourages me to continue striving to promote healthy lifestyles for all children.”
TCTA has presented its Friend of Education awards since 1976. TCTA members from across Texas who serve on the association’s Legislation and Professional Rights and Responsibilities Committees select winners in two categories: public official and private citizen. Recipients must be deemed true friends of education, educators and students, as demonstrated by their leadership, actions and support.
TCTA will honor Dalton and other statewide award winners during the association’s annual convention July 16-17 in Austin, where educators from across the state will participate in continuing education seminars, elect leaders for statewide positions within TCTA, and vote on TCTA’s legislative and policy positions.
The Texas Classroom Teachers Association is the leading teacher association in Texas. Founded in 1927, TCTA is a nonprofit, independent professional association based in Austin that serves 50,000 members statewide. It is the only statewide teachers’ association that limits active-level membership to those directly involved in classroom teaching or teaching support, including librarians, counselors and teacher aides.
(Press release from the Texas Classroom Teachers Association)
