Viviana Killion
Crosby ISD
Secondary Teacher of the Year

For the 2006-2007 Secondary Teacher of the Year, Crosby ISD honored Viviana Killion, a four year veteran Spanish I and II teacher at Crosby High School. Viviana is a graduate of Crosby High School who became a new student in Crosby ISD when she was five years old and who spoke no English. She is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos having graduated Summa Cum Laude. As a faculty member at Crosby High School, she is a well-respected and well-like colleague. Students love and respect her because of her ability to perfectly combine high academics standards and rigor with loving and nurturing relationships. Ms. Killion is thankful to her parents for instilling in her a servant’s heart, and their motivation to treat all people with dignity and respect.
She is appreciative of the teachers she was privileged to have who invested so much to ensure her professional success. Of these great teachers, Viviana said, “I am eternally grateful for their humility and their generosity. Regarding her teaching philosophy, Ms. Killion noted that, “More than subject matter, I teach integrity, humility, compassion, sincerity, selflessness, and ambition”. She asserts that these words are translated into action on a daily basis as she purposes to yield great men and great women. She believes that this is her greatest contribution to education and society. She believes that the teaching profession allows her to impact the outcome of another person’s life – a responsibility that she takes with great passion and conviction. Through her subject area, Spanish, she imparts knowledge to young minds in an effective manner, she feels that her greater mission is to make a positive impact on the lives of her students. For Ms. Killion, teaching is a calling to be taken serious. She believes that the greatest reward she receives is the opportunity to inspire students to be great, and to believe that their success is within their reach. This is why she works so hard at the personal relationship side of teaching.
Ms. Killion is active in her church, and in professional photography. She combines all her talents in being a gifted educator, active church member, and photographer in such a way as to help people of all ages inside and outside of the classroom. She volunteers her time, talents, and efforts helping school activities, Vacation Bible School, and with the American Child Photographer’s Charity Guild which provides photographic services to families with children who are terminally ill. No one ever questions whether Viviana’s parents or teachers were successful or not in their attempt to instill in Viviana a servants heart or a love for people. Those who are around her everyday can collectively answer a resounding ‘Yes!’ Crosby ISD is proud of Ms. Killion who cares so much for the hearts and minds of all those students who call her ‘teacher.’ And for those of us who call her colleague and friend, thank you Ms. Killion for providing the inspiration, hope, and strength for that incredible and rewarding journey we call ‘education.