Teachers to be honored

Thursday, 28 June 2012 by David Tuma

Leon Heights Elementary School’s Holly Mayes and Vicki Templin, who runs the Health Science Program at BHS, will be honored during this year’s 4th of July Parade.Editor's note: This story is part of a three-part series to honor those in Belton chosen to participate in this year's parade.

At the July 4th Parade this year policemen, firemen and teachers from each of the major departments and school districts in Bell County will be honored.

The theme of this years July 4th Parade is "Hometown Hero's".

"It is a way to say 'Thank You' to those that serve," said David Jones, this year's Parade Chairman. "It is the first time, if ever, that a part of the parade in Belton will honor these civil servants.

The July 4th Parade is part of the Belton's Chamber of Commerce's July 4th Celebration that includes the PRCA Rodeo and multiple events in the community. The attendance is simply a Bell County event with upwards of 40,000 visitors the day of the Parade.

Representing the Belton School District will be Vicki Templin and Holly Mayes.

Mayes will represent BISD as Elementary Teacher of the Year. She was selected as the Leon Heights Elementary Teacher of the Year and was chosen to represent the district at the state level competition. Mayes grew up in Belton and attended Leon Heights and her children attend Leon Heights.

"I come from a family of educators and it is in my blood," Mayes said. "Belton is a small town and I love the support the community gives to the kids and to education. BISD is a great place to work. The administrators care and we get the support we need. It was most meaningful things I have experienced that the people I work with nominated me. It was such a wonderful compliment. To watch students grow and to let them know we care even if they have a set back is special. I continue to learn from my students."

Templin runs the Health Science program at BHS after leaving the private sector to become an instructor. She has a Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia.

"I got my teaching certificate later in life," Templin said. "My son Dustin got his certificate before I did. I always worked in the medical field."

The job is to get students interested in the medical field. The course she teaches has grown to the point where they have their own building and more than 200 students take part in the course. When she took over the program in 2006, there were 30 students in the program.

Students at BHS and Temple High School get to career shadow at Scott and White Hospital.

"I love to see the faces of the students when they realize there is something they can support themselves with after school," said Templin. "They can change their lives with these classes. It is a blessing to have a school district that lets us run course like the Health Science program has to offer. We have unbelievable facilities because we have a district that gives us tremendous support. I go to conferences where other instructors can't believe what we have a BHS."

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