Bishop Dunne’s Jeremy Ratliff has been awarded “Middle School Educator of the Year” for 2014 from the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce. The award presentation was held today in the Mahler Student Center at Dallas Baptist University. Dallas ISD trustee for District 7, Eric Cowan, was Master of Ceremonies.
This is the second year in a row that a teacher from Bishop Dunne Catholic School has earned the honor. Last year Jim Martin was awarded “High School Educator of the Year,” from both the Oak Cliff Chamber and the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He was in attendance today to honor his co-worker, along with a handful of teachers, a dozen students from the school, a few parents, Principal Molly O’Sullivan and Bishop Dunne President Kate Dailey, who introduced Mr. Ratliff.
In his nomination, President Kate Dailey said, “Mr. Ratliff is an exceptional teacher who works very well with his students and their parents. I am particularly impressed with his ability to take students from all backgrounds and ability levels and work with them to be successful and confident.”
Ratliff teaches both 6th grade math and pre-Algebra. Ms. Dailey said, “As a math teacher, he not only makes math comprehensible and relevant, he makes it exciting and fun. He is very up to date with pedagogical philosophy and makes sure that he examines many different ways for his students to find success. He is very adept at educational technology and often takes the initiative to complete workshops for teachers so that they can better understand differentiated learning, flipped classrooms and the latest iPad applications for use in the classroom. He sets firm boundaries and introduces rigor to the classroom while offering amazing support for all students to achieve. He is warm and friendly, funny and compassionate, all the while holding his students and himself to the highest standards possible.”
Ratliff has a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of New Mexico and a Masters in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas.
Previous to his six years teaching at Bishop Dunne, he taught for 11 years at Vivian Field Middle School in the Carrollton/Farmer’s Branch school district. He won the CFB Teacher of the year in 2001, and was on several committees during his time there including the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee and was Chair of the Campus Improvement Committee.
Ratliff is known for creating wonderful field trips for the students at Bishop Dunne and is credited with being a driving force behind the 6th grade class which began at the school in 2009.
President Dailey says, “His lasting legacy will be to firmly establish the middle school at Bishop Dunne, enabling students to receive an excellent intermediate education that ensures their success in high school and college. He helps build confidence and make academic rigor and college preparation the norm
He is a resident of Oak Cliff and enjoys hunting and fishing in his free time.
For more information on Bishop Dunne see the site.
Information provided by Judy Porter.