Shana Culp has been chosen by Texas Baptists as one of nine recipients of the 2020 Baptist Educators Serving Texans (B.E.S.T.) Award. Culp, a 4th-grade teacher and graduate of Hardin-Simmons University, has served as a Texas educator for over 15 years, living out her faith daily among her students.
Culp began her teaching career at Garland Independent School District (ISD). There, she has served in many roles, including as an all-level substitute teacher, a content mastery aide and a behavioral adjustment teacher. Culp has also taught 4th-grade and 2nd-grade. Currently, she serves as an English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) and social studies teacher at Nita Pearson Elementary School.
Texas Baptists, a statewide convention of more than 5,300 churches, established the B.E.S.T. Award in 2020 to honor teachers such as Culp who have dedicated their lives to educating students and being a witness for the Lord. Nine individuals were chosen for the award, each representing one of the nine Texas Baptist universities. The selection process was coordinated through the Office of Cooperative Program Ministry.
“Shana Culp is one of the thousands of public school professionals who complete their training at our nine Texas Baptists affiliated universities each year. Thanks to the generosity of churches supporting the BGCT Cooperative Program, these educators are serving as the presence of Christ in the mission fields of our Texas public schools,” Chris Liebrum, director of Cooperative Program Ministry, said.
Culp was nominated for Teacher of the Month in May 2020. She was awarded Paraprofessional of the Year in 2017 during her time as a math instructional aide. Culp has served on the Parent-Teacher-Student Association (PTSA) and on the Watchdog Committee of O’Banion Elementary School.
“I come from a legacy of educators and church leaders, from my mothers and aunts–who have worked or still work in public education, as well as donning many leadership hats within their respective churches–to my grandfather, who is noted as being both the first Black member of the Garland City Council and the first director of the African American Ministry for the BGCT. As God equips us for the calling He has on our lives, I am confident in the gifts He has bestowed upon me as I continue to serve Him through education and church leadership positions,” Culp said.
Culp is an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Royse City. She serves as a youth leader and is helping organize a mentorship program within the church. She is also active on the praise and worship team. Culp is active in Women’s Mission and has served as a secretary, leader and conference speaker.
“An insightful educator, Shana recognizes early on when a student is struggling in class and she
takes the steps to give the student extra help to get the student up to speed. As it says in Matthew 25:40, ‘And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me,’” Statia Paschel, assistant principal of Ethridge Elementary School, said. “She cares deeply about each student and works hard to make sure no one is left behind. Shana has so much to offer and exemplifies Christ in her classroom.”
To learn more about Texas Baptists, visit txb.org.
About: Texas Baptists, or the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT), seeks to connect more than 5,300 affiliated Baptist churches in Texas with resources to aid in their work to fulfill God’s mission. Since its inception in 1886, Texas Baptists has been actively involved in education and social ministries, as well as evangelism and missions.