Congratulations to Lakewood Elementary teacher LaGay Pittenger! She's been named Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the year. Pittenger teaches fifth grade and has been a part of the Belton independent School District for 23 years. This year she is teaching reading, history, and language arts.

LaGay received the award from the Education Service Center for Region 12, a non-profit that serves 12 Central Texas counties, and 76 school districts. Pittenger says:

I love teaching children and it is a great honor to be recognized for doing something that I love.

With the regional award, she will now be a nominee for Texas Teacher of the Year.

Belton ISD Superintendent Susan Kincannon said:

Over 23 years at Lakewood, LaGay has also helped prepare other teachers to excel. She is a leader on her campus and in our district. When you hear her students and colleagues talk about how she has shaped them, you know that LaGay deserves this recognition.

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