Celebrating Teachers of the Year

With 21 years of instructional experience, Tonisha Hedge is a dedicated educator specializing in Mathematics and Computer Science. She has been part of the DeSoto ISD family for the past two years, teaching at Katherine Johnson Technology Magnet Academy where she continues to inspire and guide her students to reach their full potential.

Hedge's passion for teaching is fueled by the connections she builds with her students. She believes that the best part of teaching is getting to know her students each year and helping them develop not only academic confidence in mathematics but also personal confidence in themselves. Her goal is for each student to leave her classroom feeling empowered to achieve any goal they set for themselves.

One of Hedge's most cherished moments as a teacher came when she helped a student prepare for his senior pictures. After losing his mother during the COVID-19 pandemic, the student reached out to her for support, and Hedge was honored to stand in as a source of guidance and care. This experience reinforced her belief in the power of forming meaningful relationships with her students.

In her classroom, Hedge focuses on building a growth mindset and ensuring her students are equipped with the tools they need to succeed. By effectively using data to assess her students' needs and delivering engaging lessons, she fosters an environment where every student can understand complex topics and strive for excellence.

Being recognized by her peers for her instructional excellence this year was an unexpected but heartwarming honor. While Hedge always shows up for her students, this recognition motivates her to continue bringing her best self to the classroom each day.

Tonisha Hedge is a dedicated educator who is making a lasting impact on the students of DeSoto ISD, one lesson at a time.