Cochrane named Region 18 “Secondary Teacher of the Year”
For the first time in more than 10 years, a Big Spring ISD teacher has been given the Region 18 Secondary Teacher of the Year award.
A fact that BSISD Superintendent Jay Mcwilliams is very proud to announce.
“I started this 3 years ago because I thought Big Spring should recognize an elementary and secondary teacher.”
Big Spring High School Biology Teacher Michelle Cochrane was nominated by BSHS Principal Mike Ritchey and she was told that she had won the Region 18 award on Monday.
She was one of three secondary teachers nominated and Superintendent Jay Mcwilliams didn't hesitate to say that she more than deserved the recognition.
“She is very, very, very deserving,” said Mcwilliams. “She has an amazing rapport with both the kids and the parents.
Her students genuinely like her.”
Cochrane has been married to Brent for 19 years and has two children Ty, a junior at BSHS and Tate who is a 7th grader in Westbrook.
Commuting from Westbrook every day, Cochrane teaches Biology, AP Bio, and is a co-sponsor with Chrissy Rainey for the BSHS Student Council.
Cochrane is a graduate of Texas A&M College Station, and has been teaching for 17 years. This is her fourth year at BSHS.
Cochrane is a previous recipient of recognition as secondary teacher of the year in other districts prior to moving to Big Spring, but had never received recognition at a regional level.
Her reaction she said was one of feeling overwhelmed. “I don't like to brag about myself, but I am honored to be chosen.”
While it is obvious she has chosen the right career, it wasn't her first choice.
“My mother was an educator, but I actually went to med-school first,” explained Cochrane and said went on to say, “It wasn't what I thought it would be and everyone kept telling me that I was a good teacher I was so I decided to give it a try.”
As to why she has had such success teaching, Cochrane attributed her students interest and engagement in the subject to the atmosphere in her classroom.
“I don't have science stuff on the walls. Instead I have positive quotes to make them more comfortable.”
Mcwilliams said that there is a difference in a knowledgeable teacher and a great teacher. “You can have a teacher with a lot of knowledge about the subject they're teaching,” Mcwilliams said and continued, “but if they don't care about it or the students, the students can tell and they won't learn anything. Ms. Cochrane teaches in a way that makes the subject interesting and keeps her students engaged.”
As for the future, Ms. Cochrane says she is looking forward to helping her students and watching them grow and succeed.
“I look forward to seeing them grow and to see what they do with their lives.”
She was also given the Master Teacher award at the BSISD board meeting Thursday.