Dailey MS assistant principal receives Region 13 Star of the Month Award

Dailey Middle School Assistant Principal Lakeshia Gaines was surprised Friday morning when she received the Region 13 ESC Star of the Month award.

DVISD Superintendent Dr. Annette Tielle and Region 13 staff were joined by the DVISD Education Foundation, DMS Principal Mario Palacios, and district staff for the surprise. The group paraded down to a teacher’s room, where Lakeshia was performing teacher observations to surprise her with the news.

The award is intended to celebrate those in Central Texas who leave a lasting impression on their students and colleagues and can be awarded to teachers, principals, bus drivers, cafeteria staff, and anyone in a school district who exemplifies what it means to be a caring, passionate educator.

Lakeshia was visibly left in shock upon hearing the news. She received a crystal trophy, flowers, a balloon arrangement, and other gifts. She was also awarded a $3,000 scholarship that could be applied to Abilene Christian University’s online Master of Education in Instruction and Learning program. 

“I'm very excited, very grateful. I love my job. I love my students. I love my campus, and it's only up from here,” Lakeshia said.

She was picked as September’s Star of the Month for Region 13, which encompasses 102 school districts in Central Texas, after being nominated by Dellean Hartmann.

Dellean and Lakeshia met in passing at a local business recently, where Lakeshia spoke with Dellean about her career as an educator and current work as assistant principal at DMS. Dellean said hearing of Lakeshia’s passion for her students motivated her to nominate Lakeshia for the monthly award.

“She was just so passionate about what she does, how much she loves kids, how she works with parents, all the things she does for kids,” Dellean said. “Her story, her work ethic, just inspired me. She was exhausted, but she loves education, and we love educators who love education. So I nominated her for Region 13 Star of the Month.”

Executive Director of Region 13 ESC Rich Elsasser helped surprise Lakeshia and presented her with the gift and ACU scholarship. 

“Our committee awarded her the prize, and we celebrated here at Dailey Middle School. We're excited to do it, honoring great educators and the great work that they do, and we're proud to be at Region 13 and able to do this kind of award. So we're excited for Lakeisha,” Rich said.