2025 Teachers of the Year
Teachers of the Year show lifelong dedication to their students and communities
Stephanie Webb of St. Mary's Catholic School in Tylor and Mark Clifford, who teaches at Bishop Dunne Catholic School in Dallas, are the 2025 Texas Catholic Conference Bishops' Elementary Teacher of the Year and High School Teacher of the Year, respectively.
Elementary Teacher of the Year Stephanie Webb
Stephanie Webb
Stephanie Webb has served at St. Mary’s Catholic School for the last 32 years and is currently the second grade teacher. A graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School, along with her five siblings, Webb went on to graduate from Longview High School and then the University of Texas at Tyler, where she earned her bachelor of science in elementary education. She returned to St. Mary’s in the fall of 1988 to teach Kindergarten for one year, followed by pre-K for one year. For the next 30 years, she has served as a second grade teacher. This school year, she agreed to an additional part time role as the library manager.
Despite hardships in her personal life, Webb has remained committed to her students and to their growth and learning, providing lesson plans and checking in regularly, even when she had to be out of school to take care of family needs.
In addition to being an excellent second grade teacher, Webb is an exemplary Catholic role model for her students and colleagues. She oversees sacramental preparation for her Catholic students, collaborates with the school chaplain and pastor, and sits on the Mass Engagement Task Force. Webb integrates Catholic identity into everything she does and models her faith for her students.
One of her colleagues said, “Professionally, I cannot put into sufficient words how important Stephanie has been to me as an elementary school teacher. The grace she embodies in her relationships with her students and the creativity she infuses into each lesson she teaches is inspiring. But over and above all of this is her faith.”
Webb shares her faith journey with her students, while also walking with them on their own faith journeys. There is no doubt that Stephanie Webb has made a tremendous contribution to Catholic education at St. Mary’s Catholic School and that she will continue to do so in the years to come.
High School Teacher of the Year Mark Clifford
Mark Clifford
Mark Clifford has served as a teacher at Bishop Dunne Catholic School for the last 14 years and has taught US History, AP US History, Government, and AP Government courses. Mr. Clifford is known to be both an exemplary teacher and an exemplary role model for his colleagues. The core of Mr. Clifford’s teaching philosophy centers around project-based learning, current events, and hands-on experiences. He strives to not only help his students learn important historical information, but also to be creative and think critically. He believes his students should leave his class having the skills to be an effective group member and leader as they prepare to enter their post high school life.
In addition to his work as a teacher, Mr. Clifford demonstrates his commitment to the school and meaningful relationship building through the myriads of ways he is involved in community life. He serves in many roles including student council moderator, chaperoning countless events, serving on mission trips, and assisting with athletic events, including work as the statistician for the Bishop Dunne Varsity Boys Baseball team.
His work throughout all the ministries of the school has helped him to build strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues.
An individual who is both a teacher and parent at Bishop Dunne said this about Mr. Clifford: “At Bishop Dunne Falcon PRIDE stands for purpose, respect, integrity, dedication, and excellence. Mark perfectly exemplifies these attributes. Mark’s purpose as an educator is one he takes seriously. He continues to learn and grow and share that knowledge with us. His students also gain so much from him as an educator. Mark treats all people with respect and is a fine role model in how to do so.
"He is the walking definition of the word integrity. The many hats he wears at Bishop Dunne are a testament to his dedication to the school and all the people within its walls. Mark’s excellence is shown in the way in which he does everything to the very best of his ability.”
There is no doubt that Mr. Clifford’s work and dedication will have a lasting impact on Catholic education at Bishop Dunne Catholic School.