Feb. 7, 2023 - A Hill Country College Preparatory High School English teacher accepted this year’s KENS 5 EXCEL award for Comal ISD surrounded by the cheers of students and colleagues.
KENS 5 anchor Sarah Forgany and KENS 5 partner Credit Human surprised Jennifer Fey with the award in December, but the announcement and feature airs today, Tuesday, Feb. 7, on KENS 5. As part of the award, Fey also receives a $1,000 check from Credit Human.
“I was completely surprised to receive this award,” says Fey, who has been teaching for 12 years and is Comal ISD’s current Secondary District Teacher of the Year. “I was in a meeting and kept hearing odd noises coming from the hallway. I was concerned that something was going on that we needed to be helping with. When I opened the door and all the students were lining the hall and cheering, it was the longest hall I ever walked.
“I have such sweet kids and wonderful faculty. I was trying to figure out what was going on. It was emotionally overwhelming.”
The cheering was genuine from both students and colleagues alike. Fey is admired by fellow teachers and highly-sought-after by students who constantly stop by her room for advice or just to catch up even if they are no longer in her classroom. Her philosophy of teaching has a lot to do with why they feel this connection.
“I meet kids where they are and help them to get to where they need to be,” she says, “and I love them. Above all, I love them.”
Besides teaching English I and II, Fey serves in a number of extra capacities at HCCPHS and for the district including as the National Honor Society sponsor, the UIL coordinator, the grade-level chair, a reading interventionist and a teacher mentor, just to name a few.
“Teaching is such a great job. At the heart of it, I want our young people to be successful and prepared for life. Every day I get to think about the future and be an active part in the shape that it takes. Working with children and brilliant colleagues each day gives me a satisfying feeling that I’m doing something good. I am doing something right.”
-Hill Country College Preparatory High School English teacher Jennifer Fey was named this year’s KENS 5 EXCEL award winner for Comal ISD.
-Pictured from left is Comal ISD assistant superintendent of secondary schools Corbee Wunderlich, KENS 5 anchor Sarah Forgany, Comal ISD superintendent Dr. John E Chapman, Credit Human representative and EXCEL award winner Jennifer Fey.
-Pictured are Hill Country College Preparatory High School students with this year’s KENS 5 EXCEL award winner for Comal ISD who teaches English at HCCPHS. From left is Brian Murray, Lillian Vickers, teacher Jennifer Fey, Aiden King, Zahrah Reneke and Brielle Jang.