Caitlin Casassa received her award at the SCANSUP conference.
by Theo John Milton
Caitlin Casassa, a senior at Baylor School of Education, received the 2025 Most Outstanding Clinical Teacher Award from the South Central Area Network for School-University Partnerships (SCANSUP).
Casassa is teaching in a fifth-grade classroom at Woodway Elementary in Midway ISD for her senior student-teaching year. Baylor seniors spend an entire academic year as student teachers in the same classroom, enabling them to experience the full year’s cycle.
The award recognizes Casassa’s teaching skills, classroom strategies, and commitment to creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment for her students.
Casassa was formally recognized at the SCANSUP Conference earlier in the semester. The conference brings together educators and administrators, celebrates excellence in teaching, and shares practices in education. She attended the conference alongside her mentors, Dr. Deborah Focarile and Dr. Jenifer Johnson.
Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, Assistant Dean of Educator Preparation Programs for the School of Education, praised Casassa’s achievements.
“We are so proud of Ms. Casassa and how well she represents the School of Education, Baylor University, and the teaching profession,” Clark-Goff said. “She is innovative in her teaching strategies and engages with her students and colleagues in meaningful, valuable ways that impact lives and learning.”
In nominating Casassa, her mentor and cooperating teacher, Dr. Shanna Attai, celebrated her leadership, mentorship, and ability to inspire students and colleagues. Attai is a three-time graduate of Baylor (BSEd ’09, MSEd ’10, PhD ’15).
“Caitlin Casassa is an extraordinary educator whose passion and energy for student growth and engagement is evident in everything she does,” Attai said. “She brings an inspiring level of creativity, patience, and dedication to her teaching, always striving to create meaningful learning experiences. Her ability to connect with students and foster a love of learning sets her apart as a truly exceptional future leader in education.”
SCANSUP is a part of the National Association of School-University Partnerships (NASUP). Formerly known as NAPDS (The National Association of Professional Development Schools), the organization expanded its vision to include other school-university partnerships and changed its name in 2023.
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For more than 100 years, the School of Education has advanced Baylor’s mission across the globe while preparing students for a range of careers focused on education, leadership, and human development. With more than 65 full-time faculty members, the school’s growing research portfolio complements its long-standing commitment to excellence in teaching and student mentoring. Baylor’s undergraduate program in teacher education has earned national distinction for innovative partnerships with local schools that provide future teachers deep clinical preparation. Likewise, the School of Education’s graduate programs have attained national recognition for their exemplary preparation of research scholars, educational leaders, innovators, and clinicians. Visit the School of Education website to learn more.
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