Paris Independent School District proudly announces Tricia White as the Elementary Teacher of the Year and Melissa Tullos as the Secondary Teacher of the Year. The honorees were recognized during a special dinner celebrating all campus Teachers of the Year, highlighting the dedication and impact of educators across the district.
White and Tullos will go on to represent Paris ISD in the 2027 Region VIII Education Service Center Teacher of the Year competition.
Tricia White currently teaches fifth grade science and social studies at Crockett Intermediate School. A graduate of Texas A&M University–Commerce, White earned her Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in 2017 and completed her Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction in 2024.
With nine years of classroom experience, White is known for creating engaging, student-centered learning environments that spark curiosity and build critical thinking skills. She has developed standards-aligned curriculum resources and played a key role in supporting fellow educators as a team leader and mentor. Her commitment extends beyond instruction, as she fosters a classroom culture rooted in trust, communication, and belonging—ensuring students feel supported both academically and personally.
Melissa Tullos teaches Spanish I and II at Paris High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from Ouachita Baptist University and her Master of Arts in Gifted and Talented Education from University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Tullos is passionate about building meaningful relationships with her students, believing that trust and encouragement are essential to language acquisition. She incorporates a variety of instructional strategies to meet the needs of all learners, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. Beyond the classroom, she has contributed to the district by teaching English to local employees, serving on the District Wide Advisory Committee and Calendar Committee, and even using her Fridays to teach Spanish through a partnership with Paris ISD and Rodgers Wade.
Her love for the Spanish language began through travel and family connections, and she now brings that passion to life in her classroom. Tullos takes pride in seeing her students confidently use their skills in real-world settings, whether in school or throughout the community.
“Tricia White and Melissa Tullos represent the very best of Paris ISD,” said Superintendent Althea Dixon. “Their passion for teaching, commitment to students, and dedication to continuous growth make a lasting impact in our classrooms and across our district. We are incredibly proud of both of these outstanding educators and look forward to cheering them on at the regional level.”
Paris ISD congratulates all campus Teachers of the Year and celebrates the difference they make each day in the lives of students across Wildcat Nation.
