NISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Monica Gryder shown with NISD administrators

Monica Gryder is Nacogdoches ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Gryder teaches fifth-grade math at NISD’s Mike Moses Elementary.

Gryder came to the Mike Moses campus after it was converted to an elementary school two years ago. Previously, she taught at NISD’s Fredonia campus and has served in leadership roles at both schools.

“Amazing teachers aren’t just born, they’re made from the teacher next door,” a philosophy embraced by Gryder and a motivation for her willingness to mentor teachers.

When NISD announced its Texas Teacher Incentive Allotment recipients last month, Gryder was named a Recognized Teacher in the program’s inaugural year.

Gryder has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and a Master’s in education with a specialization in early childhood development, both from Stephen F. Austin State University.