COPPERAS COVE – The top world language teacher in Texas calls Copperas Cove ISD home.
Copperas Cove High School Spanish teacher Lisa Yates was named 2025 Teacher of the Year by the Texas Foreign Language Association, one of two awards she recently earned.
“I’m incredibly honored to receive this recognition from the Texas Foreign Language Association,” Yates said. “Teaching language is essential in today's world and is about opening doors to new cultures, perspectives and connections. I share this award with all of the students, colleagues and mentors who inspire me every day to keep teaching, growing and sharing the beauty of language learning.”
The TFLA Teacher of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors for world language educators in Texas, honoring a teacher who demonstrates excellence in language & cultural instruction, as well as advocacy for learning world language. The award also evaluates a teacher’s creativity and exceptional teaching ability in the classroom, how they promote cultural awareness and global communication skills and how they contribute to the mentorship of other educators.
Yates also earned the TFLA’s Excellence in Teaching award for her work in teaching world language in Copperas Cove.
“Mrs. Yates is one of many examples of the amazing educators who work tirelessly to ensure the students in CCISD receive a world-class education,” said Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins. “Her leadership in our district enhances the way Cove students learn foreign language and are exposed to cultures from around the world. I could not imagine anybody more deserving of this honor and I hope everyone will join me in celebrating her.”
Yates was recently recognized for these honors at the TFLA’s annual fall conference.
As a result of being named Teacher of the Year in Texas, Yates will represent the entire state as its nominee for the Southwest Conference on Language Teaching’s Teacher of the Year award.