Ms. Bhatt, a 4th grade teacher, has been named Teacher of the Year for the East Campus and Ms. Lede was voted Employee of the Year. They were selected by a vote of their peers.
Both will be candidates for the district Teacher and Employee of the Year, respectively.
Ms. Bhatt, a native of India, came to Varnett in 2005. She has been voted Teacher of the Year three times, all at East Campus, and is a former district Teacher of the Year. She taught in India for 22 years and in the United States for 10 years. In responding to her Teacher of the Year election this year, Ms. Bhatt said: "I'm open-minded. I help everybody and that's how they know me."
Ms. Lede attended Varnett as a student from PreK through 5th grade and has worked with PreK students as a teaching assistant at all three campuses. She is completing her fourth year at Varnett.
Congratulations to both and good luck.
Photo: Ms. Lede, left, and Ms. Bhatt
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