Two Grayson High School educators have been recognized by Yale University. Dr. Wendy Dyer, a Career and Technical Education Teacher and Mrs. Taqueesa Davis, a School Counselor, have been named recipients of the 2022 Yale Educator Award by the Yale Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The Yale Educator Recognition Program recognizes outstanding educators from around the world who support and inspire their students to perform at high levels and to achieve excellence. Mrs. Davis is humbled by the recognition. “What an honor to be recognized for this award,” Mrs. Davis shares. “This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of all the Grayson High Counselors.”

Of this year’s 339 nominees, who represent 43 U.S. states and 21 countries, 48 teachers and 29 counselors were selected to receive the award. Matriculating students are invited to nominate high school educators, and a committee of Yale admissions officers reviews each nomination individually and designates recipients. In September, the winners were sent awards and congratulatory letters, and administrators of the high schools were notified of their achievement.

Dr. Dyer says the honor is a welcome reminder that her work has meaning. “This award is such an honor to receive from such a great student like Koosha Maleknia,” Dr. Dyer explains. “Koosha graduated from Grayson High last spring and is now a freshman at Yale. We are all proud of him. It is always good to know when you have impacted students. The pandemic has had such an impact on teaching in general. Sometimes it makes us feel like we have lost that reason why we came into the profession. This is just a reminder that we are still helping others pursue their dreams. That is my why.”

The Yale Admissions Office says it attributes the exceptional quality of the Yale student body to educators like the 2022 Yale Educator Award recipients. These honorees are credited with shaping their students long before they attend Yale.