Local teacher featured in book on teaching

Connie Bagley, of San Marcos, was featured in a recently-published book on teaching. “Great Teachers: Exploring Excellence in Education” profiles eight of the greatest teachers in the United States. According to author Dr. Kevin Bartram, “In ‘Great Teachers,’ we take you inside the classrooms — and the heads — of some of America’s greatest teachers, opening the door to those inspired teaching strategies that distinguish excellence in the field of education. While most of these strategies are generally known, the real secret is how they were applied by these teaching geniuses.”

Bagley earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State) in 1972 and is entering her 51st year of teaching, Connie currently works at San Marcos Academy as a reading specialist, focusing on dyslexia instruction after teaching for San Marcos CISD for over 30 years. She has been honored locally and nationally for her work, including Texas Teacher of the Year finalist in 2013, the HEB Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2014, the 2017 National Teacher of the Year for Students with Disabilities, Learning Ally’s Winslow Coyne Reitnouer Excellence in Teaching Award, and inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2018.

The book, published by New Forum Press, Inc., profiles one iconic teacher in each of the following disciplines: reading, adapted physical education, music, U.S. history, high school basketball, social studies, modern languages and science. The book is a professional development book for teachers but is also meant for anyone interested in finding out what is happening in our nation’s classrooms.

One of the reasons why Bagley was selected for the book, according to the author is “…her unwavering commitment to these children. They need an advocate, and they have found a rock-solid hero in Connie.” Bagley does hold her students in high esteem, saying: “I never think of my kiddos as students with learning disabilities. They are kids with learning differences.”

To order a copy of the book, visit www.kevinpbartram.com or Amazon.com.