A dedicated educator from Sachse High School has been honored as the Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year. Mr. John Murray, an English teacher known for his innovative teaching methods and commitment to his students, has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to education.

Mr. Murray, who teaches English at Sachse High School, part of Garland ISD, has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled passion for the subject. His unique approach to teaching has not only inspired countless students to fall in love with the subject of English but has also helped them achieve academic excellence.

Mr. Murray's teaching journey began over a decade ago. Since then, he has been a beacon of inspiration and a stalwart advocate for continued professional development. He boasts dual master's degrees: one from the Naval Postgraduate School in Civil-Military Relations/Homeland Security and another in Public Relations from the University of Southern Mississippi. Moreover, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Midwestern State University.

Region 10, which proudly serves more than 880,000 students and 115,000 school staff, of which 60,000 are teachers in over 130 ISDs, charters, and private schools across ten north Texas counties., is known for its rigorous criteria in selecting the best educators for its Teacher of the Year awards. Winning such an accolade is a testament to Mr. Murray's dedication, expertise, and relentless pursuit of excellence in education.

Upon receiving the award, a humbled Mr. Murray said, "The best thing about teaching is the relationships I forge with kids. I know I developed a great relationship, and when you have 168 kids every period, they're all different, and they all have different needs, but it recharges my soul; that's precisely why I do what I do. Pure magic is connecting at the personal level."

Mr. Murray's win has further solidified Sachse High School's reputation for nurturing and fostering top-tier educators. Garland ISD is proud to have such a distinguished educator among its ranks and looks forward to seeing even more achievements from its dedicated faculty in the coming years.

When speaking about teaching, Murray said, "Unless you've been a teacher, you don't appreciate how rewarding it can be. It is the best job in the world because every day is different, and you know, at the end of the day, you've changed somebody's life, and I  take great pride in doing that!"

Garland ISD is proud of both its Teachers of the Year for 2023. We are also excited for John to be awarded Region 10 Secondary Teacher of the Year. We are excited to see him compete at the state level later in the year.