Pine, who teaches the Computer Maintenance Technician course at the Dominguez State Jail in San Antonio, provides earnest enthusiasm, an amazing variety of teaching techniques, a positive classroom environment, and daily real-life challenges to reach his students. As a result, he was also named the Correctional Education Association’s Region V Teacher of the Year (for Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana).

Pine was honored at a meeting of the WSD Board of Trustees in Austin, along with WSD regional finalists Dorothy Thomas and Donny Lowrance. Thomas is a high-energy literacy instructor at the Telford Unit in New Boston, and Lowrance is an innovative Career and Technical Education instructor, teaching Auto Specialization Engine Performance at the Wallace Unit in Colorado City.

“I know our students receive training that ensures greater employment success and encourages positive behavior,” Pine says. “This reduces prison costs because the men become productive tax-paying citizens, instead of returning to prison and costing taxpayers more money. As teachers, we’re in the business of helping change lives.”

The Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching Award is named for Dr. Lane Murray, the first superintendent of WSD. Every two years, a rigorous selection process begins at each campus, ultimately resulting in the selection of finalists from WSD’s three regions and a winner. These teachers embody some of the best correctional educators in Texas, and they have proudly represented WSD at prestigious conferences and mentored fellow teachers at special trainings.

Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching 2014-15 - Introduction

Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching 2014-15 - Award Selection Process

Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching 2014-15 - Nomination Questionnaire