Erin Stokes, deaf education teacher at Ashbel Smith Elementary, is the James Becker Thomson Special Education Teacher of the Year for 2015-2016. This is the 41st year the award, established by Dr. Richard Thomson in honor of his brother James, has been presented in Goose Creek CISD.

Stokes has been an educator for 19 years, six of which have been in Goose Creek CISD. She teaches 3rd and 4th grade along with taking care of a family, including four children. She and her husband Jay adopted their daughter Jaci and their youngest son Liam from China. A student at Ashbel Smith, Liam is hearing impaired, but he has flourished after being in the deaf education program and becoming a member of the Stokes family, which includes older siblings Aidan and Colin.

Organized and efficient, Stokes has excellent sign language skills and high expectations for her students. Her students use iPads regularly, and they benefit from the instructional strategies and techniques Stokes is always eager to integrate into the curriculum.

“As a teacher with 25 years of experience, my pet peeve is to find a ‘silent’ deaf education classroom,” said Suzi Joyner, Stokes’ co-worker. “Erin’s classroom is always bustling and never silent. Language and learning are non-stop! Her students look forward to coming to school each day and the progress they make in one year with her is impressive.”

Stokes serves as a mentor for other less-experienced deaf education teachers, who often refer to her as “Mama Stokes.” She leads by example and keeps everyone positive during stressful times.

“Erin Stokes is a caring individual and effective teacher,” said Dr. Tom Kelchner, director of special education. “Her passion for teaching leads to the success of our deaf and hard of hearing students for whom she is responsible.”