Honored teacher basks in students’ success

Pattie Franklin, a government teacher at Clear Brook High School, is a recipient of the 2013 Crystal Award, which is handed out to top Houston-area teachers.

However, when a teacher has her skill and passion for the job, it’s almost unavoidable.
Most recently, Franklin, who teaches 12th grade government at Clear Brook High School, was chosen as one of four Houston-area teachers to receive the prestigious 2013 Crystal Award, which for the past 20 years has recognized teachers who have made a "significant difference" in the lives of their students.
Franklin's evaluator, an assistant principal at Clear Brook, nominated her for the award. There were more than 1,000 nominees in the Greater Houston area. She recently was honored at a gala at the Hyatt Regency Downtown.
While the accolades are certainly excellent proof of her teaching abilities, the most rewarding aspect of the job for Franklin involves making a real difference in students' lives and seeing their successes.
"(My favorite part of teaching is) watching students succeed and seeing what the students become later in life," Franklin said. "I've had students that interned with members of the House of Representatives. I've had a person who was in charge of campaigns for Ron Paul. I think what the students become is what makes you happy."
Even though, like all teachers, Franklin often has her hands full with current students, she still takes the time to stay in touch with her former students on a regular basis, and they often reach out to her as well.
"I hear from them frequently," Franklin said. "I got a note from one student I had probably 15 or 20 years ago, and she said, 'Thank you for teaching me about the electoral college because I was able to explain it to my family because of you.' Just little notes like that make a big difference."
Franklin spent 20 years at Santa Fe High School in Santa Fe, Texas, as a department chairwoman and government teacher, but now that she is at Clear Brook, she says this is the place where she wants to stay.
"It's a very unique experience," Franklin said. "There are so many different cultures and students from all over the world. I think I learn as much from them as they do from me, so it's very enjoyable."


ABOUT Pattie Franklin
AGE: 61
OCCUPATION: Teacher at Clear Brook High School
COMMUNITY CONNECTION: Lives in Friendswood
FAST FACT: Contributes to "The Social Studies Texan" magazine

Chris Marshall is a freelance writer. He can be reached at neighborhoods@chron.com.