Texas English Teacher Named National Teacher of the Year

BETSY BLANEY, Associated Press

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — A Texas high school English teacher has been named the 2015 National Teacher of the Year.

The Council of Chief State School Officers announced the honor Monday for Shanna Peeples.

Peeples, who works at Palo Duro High in Amarillo, will be recognized by President Barack Obama in a ceremony at the White House on Wednesday.

She says growing up around domestic violence helps her connect with students who are refugees from war-torn countries and are traumatized by what they've seen.

She came to teaching after working as a disc jockey, medical assistant, pet sitter and journalist.

Peeples teaches AP English and serves as the English department chair and is an instructional coach for other teachers.

She is the first teacher from Texas to win the award since 1957.

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