Mrs. Sara Lucas

Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville, Texas

We are delighted to announce that Sara Lucas, who teaches at Hendrickson High School in Pflugerville, Texas, has been selected as the winner of our 2023 Teaching Excellence Award.

Here are just a few of the many reasons why Sara was selected over all other applicants this year:

• Since becoming a teacher, Sara has expertly taught a wide variety of English and Social Studies courses at both middle and high school levels. She also served for ten years as the Pflugerville school district’s K-12 Social Studies Coordinator. Sara returned to the classroom at Hendrickson High School in 2015 where she currently teaches AP Psychology and dual-credit U.S. History. In addition, she is an adjunct history professor for Austin Community College.
• In the classroom, Sara demonstrates strong evidence of innovation and creativity in both teaching methods and classroom activities. It was clear from her application and recommendations that she also demonstrates great skill in engaging students of varied backgrounds and abilities, inspiring each to learn successfully and feel included. As her principal stated, “Sara Lucas shows up every day ready to change students’ lives.”
• By continually researching best practices, attending many professional development activities, and earning multiple degrees, Sara has proven herself to be a life-long learner and an exceptional leader who enthusiastically shares her time and knowledge with colleagues. Over the course of her career, Sara has planned and presented hundreds of trainings for teachers and administrators at the campus, district, and regional levels.
• Earlier this year Sara was honored as one of five statewide finalists for HEB’s Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Award. She has written and received multiple grants, was twice selected as Pflugerville teacher of the year, and in 2019 was honored as the school district’s Humanitarian of the Year for her work with students who raised thousands of dollars for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which works to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
• Finally, a colleague wrote that Sara exemplifies the Phi Beta Kappa motto “Love of Learning is the Guide to Life”, stating, “One cannot be around Sara for long without realizing that not only is she a lifelong learner, but that she is also motivated to inspire a love of learning in others.”