Nominated by: Gabriel Monreal

TEACHER EXCELLENCE AWARD NOMINATION A Teacher Who Changed My Future and Continues to Change Lives Nominee: Mrs. Liezel Dayao Moen School: Conroe High School, Conroe Independent School District Nominated by: Gabriel Montreal Grade: 12th Grade — Class of 2027 Dear Selection Committee, Some teachers help students pass a class. Others inspire students to believe they can accomplish things they once thought were impossible. Mrs. Liezel Dayao Moen is the kind of teacher who changes lives, and I am one of the students whose life she has changed. My name is Gabriel Montreal, and I am currently a senior at Conroe High School. I am honored to nominate my former teacher, Mrs. Liezel Dayao Moen, for an Excellence in Teaching Award because of her extraordinary dedication, compassion, leadership, and lasting commitment to her students. I first met Mrs. Moen when I was in 10th grade. I had come to America from another country and was still adjusting to a new educational system, a different culture, and unfamiliar academic expectations. At times, I struggled with my confidence and wondered whether I would ever be able to keep up with other students. But Mrs. Moen saw potential in me that I had not yet discovered in myself. She never allowed my background or language challenges to define my abilities. Instead, she encouraged me, challenged me, and helped me build the academic foundation I needed to succeed. I remember the countless afternoons she stayed after school to provide additional tutoring. Even when her regular teaching responsibilities were finished, she continued helping students who needed extra support. She patiently explained lessons, guided us through challenging assignments, and helped us improve our reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills. She never made me feel that I was taking too much of her time. Instead, she made me feel that my education and future truly mattered. Today, I am a senior taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes—something I never imagined I would be capable of doing when I first came to America. I know that my growth did not happen overnight. It took perseverance, encouragement, and a strong educational foundation. Mrs. Moen played a crucial role in helping me develop that foundation. The confidence she helped me build in 10th grade continues to guide me as I take on more challenging academic work and prepare for college. What makes her remarkable is that her commitment to students does not end when they leave her classroom. Although she is no longer my teacher, she continues to care about my academic progress, encourage my goals, and support me whenever I need guidance. Now that I am a senior, I still know I can turn to her for advice. That kind of dedication is something I will never forget. And I know I am not the only student she has helped. Mrs. Moen goes beyond teaching academic subjects. She helps students prepare for life after high school by assisting them in creating résumés, exploring employment opportunities, and building the confidence needed to apply for jobs. She understands that education should prepare students not only for examinations but also for independence, responsibility, and success in the real world. She also makes personal sacrifices to encourage her students. She uses her own money to purchase snacks, treats, and small rewards to recognize academic improvement, celebrate hard work, and reinforce positive behavior. To some people, these may seem like simple gestures. But to students, they communicate something powerful: Our efforts are noticed, our progress matters, and someone believes we are worth investing in. Mrs. Moen is especially dedicated to students who need additional academic or emotional encouragement. She works with students from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including students with special learning needs. She recognizes that students learn differently and takes the time to provide appropriate support, individualized instruction, and opportunities for meaningful success. She does not define students by their disabilities, language barriers, past mistakes, or academic struggles. Instead, she looks for their strengths and helps them develop the skills they need to grow. She is compassionate, but she also maintains high expectations. She teaches us responsibility, perseverance, respect, kindness, accountability, and the importance of making good decisions. She understands that being an excellent teacher requires more than knowing the curriculum. It requires understanding students as individuals and recognizing the circumstances that influence their learning. Mrs. Moen’s dedication has also been recognized through her school’s Teacher Achieving Excellence recognition. This acknowledgment reflects her hard work and positive contributions to the school community. Beyond the classroom, she demonstrates leadership through her involvement in student organizations and community-service initiatives. She encourages students to become responsible leaders, serve others, and understand that their actions can make a positive difference in their communities. What I admire most is that she leads by example. She does not simply tell students to be compassionate, hardworking, generous, and responsible. She demonstrates these qualities through her actions. As an educator who also came from another country, Mrs. Moen brings valuable understanding and empathy to students who are adjusting to life in America. She reminds us that our accents, backgrounds, or circumstances do not determine our intelligence or limit our dreams. She creates a classroom environment where students feel welcomed, respected, safe, and capable of succeeding. Perhaps one of her greatest strengths is her ability to see possibility where others might see limitations. She sees a struggling reader and believes that student can improve. She sees a student who lacks confidence and recognizes a future leader. She sees a student who has made mistakes and offers another opportunity to make better choices. She does not give up easily on students because she believes every student has value and potential. To me, teaching excellence is not measured only by test scores, awards, or years of service. It is measured by the lives transformed, the confidence restored, the opportunities created, and the students who discover that they are capable of more than they imagined. Mrs. Moen represents all these qualities. When I reflect on my own journey, I realize that my success in AP classes is not simply a personal achievement. It is also a reflection of the strong foundation and encouragement I received from educators like her. I entered her classroom as a student who was still trying to find his place in a new country. I left with stronger academic skills, greater confidence, and the belief that I could pursue opportunities that once seemed beyond my reach. Now, as I prepare for graduation and the next chapter of my life, I carry those lessons with me. I believe Mrs. Liezel Dayao Moen deserves recognition as an outstanding educator not only because of what she teaches, but because of who she is and how she makes her students feel valued, capable, and inspired. She gives her time beyond school hours, invests her own resources, mentors students beyond graduation requirements, prepares young people for real-life opportunities, celebrates individual progress, and never stops believing in the potential of those she teaches. Her influence extends far beyond the walls of her classroom and beyond the years students spend in her care. I may have been her student in 10th grade, but the lessons she taught me will remain with me throughout my life. A truly excellent teacher does not simply prepare students for the next test or grade level. An excellent teacher prepares students to believe in themselves and face the future with courage. Mrs. Moen did that for me, and I know she continues to do it for many others. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly and proudly nominate Mrs. Liezel Dayao Moen for recognition as an outstanding educator. She is not simply a teacher who made a difference in my education. She is a teacher who helped me see a future I once could not imagine. With sincere gratitude and admiration, Gabriel Montreal Senior, Class of 2027 Conroe High School Conroe Independent School District