Of The Year Awards
2026-2027 Winners
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Of The Year Awards
Teacher of the Year
Superintendent of the Year
School Board of the Year
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2026-2027
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. John Bullion, Morgan ISD
Morgan ISD Superintendent Dr. John C. Bullion has been named the 2026 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Superintendent of the Year. Bullion was nominated by the Morgan ISD Board of Trustees and selected from a slate of candidates by a committee of Region 12 area school board members.
“Dr. John Bullion has demonstrated what is possible when strong leadership is paired with an unwavering belief in students and staff,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “His work at Morgan ISD has resulted in meaningful academic growth, expanded opportunities for students, and a culture that reflects pride, purpose, and high expectations. We are proud to recognize him as the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year.”
Bullion has served as superintendent of Morgan ISD since 2022 and as an educator for a total of 26 years. Before joining Morgan ISD, Bullion worked as a Special Education Liaison at ESC Region 12 and in various capacities at the Bosque County Educational Co-op, including as a teacher, counselor and director of special education. Alongside his work as an educator, Bullion served his community as a trustee on the Valley Mills ISD School Board from 2019 to 2025.
Read the 26-27 SOTY press release
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Keima Zapatal, China Spring ISD
Out of 77 school districts across the 12-county education service area of Region 12, China Spring ISD’s Keima Zapata has been named the 2027 Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year. Zapata was selected as China Spring ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in May and advanced to the regional level, where a committee of area educators selected her to represent Region 12.
“Mrs. Zapata’s dedication to her students, her passion for literacy, and her commitment to helping every child succeed reflect the very best of public education,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “We are proud to recognize her as Region 12's Elementary Teacher of the Year and celebrate the incredible impact she is making at China Spring ISD and beyond.”
Zapata has taught at China Spring Elementary School since 2005 and has been in her current role as a reading intervention teacher since 2019. Prior to becoming a reading interventionist, Zapata served as a second-grade teacher for two years and as a first-grade teacher for 12 years. Throughout her career, her goal has been to promote reading and fun in the classroom.
Read the 2027 Elementary TOTY press release
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Jessica Cuellar, Temple ISD
Out of 77 school districts across the 12-county education service area of Region 12, Temple ISD’s Jessica Cuellar has been named the 2027 Region 12 Secondary Teacher of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. Cuellar was selected as Temple ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year and moved forward to the regional level, where a committee of area educators selected her to represent Region 12.
“The best educators create opportunities that inspire students to see what's possible for their future,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “Ms. Jessica Cuellar does exactly that by providing authentic learning experiences that build the knowledge, confidence, and skills students need for success beyond the classroom. Her commitment to serving students and strengthening her community makes her an outstanding choice as Region 12's Secondary Teacher of the Year.”
Cuellar has taught at Temple High School since 2023 and currently serves as a Career and Technical Education Lead Teacher. She has been in education for over five years, previously teaching business at Vanguard Academy. Prior to becoming an educator, Cuellar worked in the banking industry for 10 years.
Read the 2027 secondary toty press release
2025-2026
Superintendent of the Year
Andrew Miller, Moody ISD
Moody ISD Superintendent Andrew Miller has been named the 2025 Region 12 Superintendent of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Superintendent of the Year. Miller was nominated by the Moody ISD Board of Trustees and selected from a slate of candidates by a committee of Region 12 area school board members.
“Superintendent Andrew Miller exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and integrity,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “His ability to communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and invest in leadership development has had a profound impact on Moody ISD. Under his guidance, the district has seen academic growth and made strategic strides to improve teacher compensation through the Teacher Incentive Allotment. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”
Miller has served as superintendent of Moody ISD since 2022 and has served as an educator for a total of 22 years.
Read the 25-26 SOTY press release
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Dara Altamirano, Waco ISD
Out of 77 school districts across the 12-county education service area of Region 12, Waco ISD’s Dara Altamirano has been named the 2026 Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year. Altamirano was selected as Waco ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in May and moved forward to the regional level, where she was selected to represent Region 12 by a committee of area educators.
“Mrs. Altamirano exemplifies what it means to be a servant-hearted educator,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “Through her commitment to literacy and connecting learning to real-world experiences, she empowers her students to grow both academically and personally. Her work inside and outside the classroom is creating a lasting impact on her students, her colleagues, and the broader Waco community.”
Altamirano has taught at West Avenue Elementary School since 2023. She has been in education for 13 years, serving Waco ISD in various capacities since 2015, and teaching for three years in Austin ISD.
Read the 2026 Elementary TOTY press release
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Taylor Adame, Waco ISD
Out of 77 school districts across the 12-county education service area of Region 12, Waco ISD’s Taylor Adame has been named the 2026 Region 12 Secondary Teacher of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year. Adame was named Waco ISD’s Secondary Teacher of the Year in May and moved forward to the regional level, where she was selected to represent Region 12 by a committee of area educators.
“Mrs. Adame leads with purpose and heart, creating a classroom where students see the relevance of history in their own lives,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of Education Service Center Region 12. “Her ability to connect learning with the real world fosters confidence, inspires civic responsibility, and helps students envision a future full of possibility and purpose.”
Adame has taught U.S. History at Waco High School since 2020 and has served as the Social Studies Department Head since 2022. Adame has been in education for ten years, previously serving for four years at another Waco ISD campus and one year in Duncanville ISD.
Read the 2026 secondary toty press release
School Board of the Year
Temple ISD Board of Trustees
The Temple ISD Board of Trustees has been named one of five Honor Boards, or finalists, for the Texas Association of School Administrators 2025 Outstanding School Board Award. The Board of Trustees was selected as the Region 12 School Board of the Year in June after being nominated for recognition by Temple ISD Superintendent Dr. Bobby Ott.
“ESC Region 12 proudly celebrates the Temple ISD Board of Trustees for being named a Texas Honor School Board,” said Dr. Kenny Berry, Executive Director of ESC Region 12. “This honor reflects their exceptional leadership and deep commitment to student success.”
The Temple ISD Board of Trustees comprises seven members: Dan Posey (President), Ronnie Gaines (Vice President), Virginia Suarez (Secretary), Bre’Layshia Alexander, Shannon Gowan, Shannon Myers and Dawn Cook.
2024-2025
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Darryl J. Henson, Marlin ISD
Marlin ISD Superintendent Dr. Darryl J. Henson was nominated by the Marlin ISD Board of Managers and selected from a slate of candidates by a committee of Region 12 area school board members.
Henson has served as superintendent of Marlin ISD since 2020 and has served as an educator for a total of 18 years. Prior to joining Marlin ISD, Henson served as the Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership at Cedar Hill ISD. Henson has also worked for Houston ISD, Ysleta ISD, Lockhart ISD, Pflugerville ISD and Austin ISD.
Henson’s strengths as a superintendent lie in his persistence to achieve goals. He has worked to improve the district's image with his dependability, fairness and honesty. He never gives up and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure all Marlin ISD students have the opportunity and resources to succeed.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
JoMeka Gray, Temple ISD
JoMeka Gray has taught kindergarten at Kennedy-Powell Elementary since 2018. She has been in education for over 12 years, previously teaching kindergarten in Killeen ISD and kindergarten and first grade at other Temple ISD campuses.
Gray currently teaches English, Math, Science and Social Studies to her kindergarten students at Kennedy-Powell STEM Academy. Previously, she taught at campuses serving various populations and needs, including military families, high-poverty communities and English language learners. Through her experience, Gray has become an educator who challenges her students academically, nurtures community connections and advocates for students and teachers.
Gray is an advocate at various levels for students, teachers and education. At the school level, she started a committee called Stars Helping Stars after learning one of her students was homeless. Gray’s students collected donations to provide gift cards to families in need by repurposing recycled materials and selling them at the school. This initiative has created a culture of taking care of others, and Gray sees it expanding in years to come through partnerships with local businesses.
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Arlene Sefcik, Academy ISD
Arlene Sefcik has taught agricultural science at Academy High School since 2018 and serves as the school's Future Farmers of America Advisor. She has been in education for a total of 12 years, previously teaching agricultural science for five years in Magnolia ISD and one year in Bryan ISD.
Sefcik works with 9th through 12th-grade students in agricultural pathways, including plant and animal sciences. Floral courses are where her true passion and expertise shine through. In these classes, Sefcik aims to encourage student growth by creating opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, step out of their comfort zones and begin networking.
Outside of the opportunities she creates and her work within the agricultural sciences department, Sefcik is also a member of the Teacher Leadership Committee at Academy ISD. As a member of the committee, Sefcik works closely with the Academy High School administrative team and the district administrative team. Her position allows her to aid open communication in the district, discuss daily classroom challenges and advocate for her fellow teachers. In her role, she has been able to help design the new Academy High School, offer insight on fall and spring semester finals schedules and mentor first-generation graduates.
2023-2024
Superintendent of the Year
Chris Skinner, Teague ISD
Skinner has served as superintendent of Teague ISD since 2017 and previously as a principal and director of facilities and transportation over the last 13 years. Teague ISD has three campuses and is home to 1,215 students in Freestone County. Before joining TISD, Skinner worked in Dew ISD, for the Texas Correctional Industries, and at Sam Houston State University. The longtime Teague Lion and his parents are also graduates of Teague High School.
Leadership, management, and school climate significantly impact the success of staff and students in Teague ISD. Skinner's philosophy is to set high expectations and goals for the district and to match those with timely support and guidance. While his title is superintendent, he works as a true instructional and servant leader across all school operations and often alongside staff in the trenches. The leader of the Teague Lions is known for working hard and making tough decisions that focus on doing what is best for students and Teague ISD. Skinner is always planning for the future and working on ways to ensure the growth and success of each leader, teacher and student. He believes in consistent coaching and support to grow and make a difference in each life.
School Board of the Year
State Outstanding School Board of the Year
Corsicana ISD Board of Trustees
Dr. Seth Brown, President
Leah Blackard, Vice President
Barbara Kelley, Secretary
Cathy Branch,
Jamie Roman,
Kamar Chambers,
Brad Farmer
Each is elected to at-large positions for three-year terms, representing the entire community. Every board member has a strong connection to the district – whether a graduate, parent of a current student or lifelong resident of the largest city in Navarro County.
Corsicana ISD is a 5A school district with approximately 6,000 students in grades Pre-K through 12 and has 842 employees. The district has one high school, a middle school, an intermediate school and five elementary schools.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
April Eide, Robinson ISD
Eide has been teaching for 16 years in Texas public schools, spending the last five years teaching first grade at Robinson Primary School in Robinson ISD. She previously taught second and third grade at Grand Prairie ISD and second and fifth grade at Red Oak ISD.
Eide’s sincerest passion and heart’s desire is to pour into the lives of children. She always felt unconditionally welcomed in school as a child, and her hope as an educator has been to create that same environment in her own classroom. She strives to ensure that every one of her students is not only prepared academically but also acquires the confidence and skills needed to be successful in every area of life. She works to accomplish this by cultivating a safe environment in which students are surrounded by her love and the love and encouragement of their classmates. Her passion and enthusiasm for enriching students' lives has only increased over her sixteen years of teaching.
“April Eide represents the very best of what a teacher should be,” said Michael Hope, Ed.D, superintendent of Robinson ISD schools. “Each day, her mission is to help her students grow in knowledge, skills and, most importantly, caring for others. April is a blessing to our students, staff and this great profession. We are excited to see her recognized and celebrated as the Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year.”
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Katelin Kelly, Belton ISD
Katelin Kelly has taught for five years, teaching literature and creative writing at Lake Belton High School in Belton ISD for the last two years. She previously taught social studies and language arts for three years at Little Wound Middle School in Kyle, South Dakota, until 2014. Kelly took a break from teaching to continue her education from 2014 to 2016 and then worked as the Managing Editor at the Bat City Review before returning to teaching in 2021.
While teaching at Little Wound Middle School and the Pine Ridge Reservation, Kelly learned the importance of centering student voice and creative teaching as a pathway to creative classroom spaces that celebrate and uplift every student. She sees reading and writing as essential tools for creating connections and helping students discover their authentic voices. She works to give her students opportunities to read and write stories that build communities and affirm experiences.
"We are incredibly proud to have Ms. Kelly honored as the Region 12 Teacher of the Year. Ms. Kelly is an exceptional teacher that is well respected by the students, staff, and families of Lake Belton High School. We are thankful for her amazing work and are excited to join ESC Region 12 in recognizing her today," said Matthew Smith, Ed.D, Superintendent of Belton ISD.
Previous Years
2022-2023
Superintendent of the Year
State Superintendent of the Year
National Superintendent of the Year Nominee
Dr. Bobby Ott
Temple ISD
The Central Texas native has served as superintendent of Temple ISD since 2018 and as an educator for 24 years, demonstrating leadership in military, rural, urban, suburban and fast-growth districts. His previous positions include assistant and deputy superintendent in Temple, Copperas Cove and Killeen ISDs. He also served as an executive leader for both the Texas Education Agency and University of Texas.
Under Ott's leadership and support, the district has seen gains in closing student achievement gaps. The performance gap for kindergarten to 1st-grade Hispanic and 1st- to 2nd-grade African American students has decreased by 50% due to a continued focus on screening and intervention. The latest data also shows academic growth in reading in several student groups, including those receiving special education services and English-learning students.
Ott is well known for being intentional about connecting with all groups and being collaborative. He works closely with the school's board of directors, named the 2019-2020 Region 12 and Honor Board of the Year (a top five state finalist). Board members say the energetic leader is candid and timely with communications and committed to working cohesively as a team. In addition to regular board work and relations, Ott often provides an in-depth analysis of district functions, such as school finance, enrollment growth and state accountability. The board credits his leadership style and interactive communications with helping them to work as a high-functioning team making decisions in the best interest of those they serve.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Lorenz Villa
LaVega ISD
Lorenz Villa has been teaching for 28 years, with the last seven in La Vega ISD, serving as a 4th-grade dual-language teacher and previously as a reading, English as a Second Language (ESL) and math teacher for the district. Villa has also served as a math, reading and social studies teacher in Waco and McAllen ISDs. Before becoming a teacher, Villa spent nine years working as a missionary in Mexico and is also a United States Air Force veteran.
Villa's military and work experiences have translated well to a successful teaching career, tying lessons to career experiences and using hands-on activities to demonstrate concepts and guide students to solve problems and explore topics more deeply. Through his experience teaching multiple subjects to English-speaking and English learners, he sees the impact active learning in topics like science has on reading and writing skills. He sees growth in students' skills when they work together in groups to investigate and solve problems, support and respect their peers, and be comfortable with taking risks and making mistakes. He has committed his career to working with students from a low socioeconomic background with a focus on mathematics since it is a key to a career in the growing fields of technology, engineering and science.
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Anthony Meurer
West ISD
Anthony Meurer has spent most of his 40-year career teaching agriculture science right where he graduated from–West High School. Before West, he taught agricultural science in Hillsboro ISD.
Meurer's teaching style combines behaviorism and constructivism while helping students make connections to everyday life. This approach not only engages students but allows them to retain the information. Whether it involves building projects or selecting and feeding animals, the West Trojan immensely enjoys guiding his students through the learning process, often resulting in financial wins, recognition, and experiences they use past graduation.
This teacher, who works with students in ninth through 12th grades, incorporates safety into every lesson to provide a solid understanding of how things work and how to fix problems and maintain systems, such as electricity. Through his teaching, Meurer also shares data about how the classroom study applies to future jobs and which ones are in high demand. One of his favorite classes to teach is Power Systems in Agriculture Facilities. A class that starts with terminology and safety protocols quickly moves to students designing circuits and working in groups to wire a system. Students test for success, troubleshoot issues and lean on one another to move to the next project phase. He helps them realize that their individual and group contributions achieve positive outcomes, often involving the groups competing (and winning) at their projects' local, district, area, and/or state levels. Meurer sees students grow in their knowledge and skills and take pride in their completed work.
2021-2022
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Brandon Hubbard
Chilton ISD
Dr. Brandon Hubbard has served as superintendent of Chilton ISD since 2016 and as an educator for 17 years. His previous positions include principal, assistant principal and teacher in Chilton and Waco ISD.
Under Hubbard's leadership, Chilton ISD has a culture of continuous improvement, creativity and innovation. He challenges every staff member to "Go Beyond" demographic and statistical limits in pursuit of excellence. The CISD leader uses student data to develop staff and student support. During the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 academic years, psychometric analyses predicted that Chilton ISD would perform at the 'D' level based upon student demographics. Hubbard used this prediction as a rallying cry for the staff and students. In each of those academic years, the school reached a 'B' rating. Hubbard and his team are confident that they will achieve an 'A' rating through systematic instructional practices.
Hubbard leads with the philosophy that "Challenge + Support = Growth." He believes that challenging students and faculty without relational support is futile and leads to irreparable frustration. Likewise, too much support without meaningful challenge leads to stifled growth and prevents organizational accountability. Therefore, he strives for a balance between a culture of high expectations and support structures for all to be successful.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
James Cook
Killeen ISD
James Cook has been teaching for six years—all in Killeen ISD, serving as a fifth-grade math teacher at Cedar Valley Elementary for the last five and previously as a Title I teaching aide. Before becoming a teacher, he served 22 years in the United States Army with his last position as Senior Instructor/Platoon SGT/Operations Sergeant.
Cook believes in building relationships that foster trust - allowing students to become free-thinking individuals capable of researching facts and making informed decisions while finding their purpose. He vows each day to make a positive impact on someone.
After teaching all core subjects, Cook saw a growing need for delivering math content that students can use outside the classroom. In addition to traditional lessons, he developed and uses a system that teaches financial literacy, budgeting, borrowing, and contract litigation. Knowing the lifelong value that financial literacy provides, Cook's program pays students for attendance, good citizenship, peer tutoring and leadership or volunteer tasks. The students pay rent for school supplies, internet access and hardware. His students can use their savings to purchase specialty items like supplies and healthy snacks; however, they have to pay fines for misbehavior, being late, or not returning items by deadlines. The students learn how to manage a balanced budget and consequences like bank fines for mismanaging money or unpaid bills. His students quickly learn how their earning potential goes far beyond a salary.
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Anthony Meurer
West ISD
Anthony Meurer has spent most of his 40-year career teaching agriculture science right where he graduated from–West High School. Before West, he taught agricultural science in Hillsboro ISD.
Meurer's teaching style combines behaviorism and constructivism while helping students make connections to everyday life. This approach not only engages students but allows them to retain the information. Whether it involves building projects or selecting and feeding animals, the West Trojan immensely enjoys guiding his students through the learning process, often resulting in financial wins, recognition, and experiences they use past graduation.
This teacher, who works with students in ninth through 12th grades, incorporates safety into every lesson to provide a solid understanding of how things work and how to fix problems and maintain systems, such as electricity. Through his teaching, Meurer also shares data about how the classroom study applies to future jobs and which ones are in high demand. One of his favorite classes to teach is Power Systems in Agriculture Facilities. A class that starts with terminology and safety protocols quickly moves to students designing circuits and working in groups to wire a system. Students test for success, troubleshoot issues and lean on one another to move to the next project phase. He helps them realize that their individual and group contributions achieve positive outcomes, often involving the groups competing (and winning) at their projects' local, district, area, and/or state levels. Meurer sees students grow in their knowledge and skills and take pride in their completed work.
2020-2021
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. David Edison
Aquilla ISD
Aquilla ISD Superintendent Dr. David Edison has served as superintendent of Aquilla ISD since 2010 and as an educator for 20 years. Previous positions include principal, assistant principal, administrative intern/teacher, and teacher/coach.
During his time serving as superintendent at Aquilla ISD, Edison led the district in a successful bond election. Edison also completed a 3-phase building project, which included a new gymnasium, building and safety renovations, and an Agricultural Complex.
Edison is also known for his successful management of district finances.
School Board of the Year
Temple ISD Board of Trustees
Dr. Sandhya Sanghi
Linell Davis
Shannon Gowan
Bobby Ott, Superintendent
Dan Posey, President
Ronnie Gaines, Vice-President
Shannon Myers
Virginia Suarez, Secretary
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Laurie Sims
Temple ISD
Laurie Sims has been teaching for 44 years. She began her teaching career at Temple ISD in 1975 and after teaching at St. Francis Episcopal School from 1983-2002, Sims has been with Temple ISD ever since. Sims has served as a first-grade teacher at Kennedy-Powell Elementary for the past nine years and previously as a kindergarten teacher at Kennedy-Powell Elementary, first-grade and second-grade teacher at Carter Elementary, kindergarten teacher at St. Francis Episcopal School, a first-grade teacher at Scott Elementary, and migrant teacher at Meredith-Dunbar Elementary.
Sims values creating lessons that allow her students to take ownership and make connections outside of the classroom walls. Sims embraced the challenge brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, giving her students the opportunity to write thank-you notes to essential workers, teaching them to make connections and express gratitude within their community--a concept that is often difficult for first-grade students to grasp.
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Misty Thomas
Copperas Cove ISD
Misty Thomas, Ph.D. has been teaching for 12 years, with the last eight as a chemistry teacher at Copperas Cove High School. Before joining Copperas Cove ISD, Thomas taught U.S. History, Texas History, World History, and Language Arts in Killeen ISD. Previous to her teaching career, Thomas served in the U.S. Army as Captain of the Signal Corps at Fort Hood, Texas; Baghdad, Iraq; Camp Red Cloud, and South Korea as well as Lieutenant of the Chemical Corps at Fort Drum, New York.
Thomas utilizes her love of learning, leadership abilities, and innovation both inside and outside of the classroom to provide a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
2019-2020
School Board of the Year
Copperas Cove ISD Board of Trustees
Bob Weiss
Mike Wilburn
Jim Copeland
Joe Burns, Superintendent
Inez Faison, Vice-President
Joan Manning, President
S. Ann Davis
Karen Harrison, Secretary
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Greg Oubre
Waco ISD
Greg Oubre has been teaching for 11 years—all in Waco ISD, serving as a third-grade teacher at Dean Highland Elementary for the last six and previously as a teacher at Doris Miller Elementary.
Oubre uses a combination of the Whole Brain Teaching method, processing skill exercises, balance beams and unique gameplay to produce fast-paced, engaging lessons for his students. He also provides professional development in classroom technology, classroom management and Whole Brain teaching. Oubre believes educators must be mindful of the ever-changing environment that inner-city students are growing up in and create lessons that are engaging, rigorous and entertaining.
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Morgan Castillo
Midway ISD
Morgan Castillo has been teaching for 15 years, with the last three as a fifth-grade science teacher at Woodgate Intermediate. Before joining Midway ISD, Castillo served as a Spanish teacher in several school districts and as an International Baccalaureate program coordinator in Waco ISD. During her early twenties, Castillo's eyes were opened to the impacts of systemic poverty and the lack of quality education through poverty exposure trips to developing countries and volunteering in under-resourced communities. Through connecting with people on a personal level and seeing the universality of struggle, Castillo chose to serve in public education, realizing the impact of quality education on a child's success. She began her teaching career in inner-city schools to better understand the challenges faced by students in urban areas.
Castillo believes creating a desire for lifelong learning empowers others and gives them the confidence to pursue their dreams and make a difference in the world.
2018-2019
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. George Kazanas
Midway ISD
Dr. George Kazanas has served as superintendent in Midway ISD since 2012. He has overseen a number of innovative instructional programs and impactful student support services, including the district’s 1-to-1 technology program, flexible learning environments and collaborative research partnerships with Baylor University. Under his guidance, the district has seen growth in the number of distinctions based on STAAR scores, an increase in the number of students taking college entrance exams, and a reduction in expulsions.
He holds a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Tarleton State University, and a Master of Science, among others.
School Board of the Year
West ISD Board of Trustees
Dr. Larry Sparks, President
Larry Hykel, Vice President
Leigh Crawshaw, Secretary
Dr. John Crowder
Mike Gerik
Ken Sykora
Robin Waters
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Tanya Linex
Corsicana ISD
Tanya Linex has taught at Navarro Elementary in Corsicana for two years. She teaches second grade and focuses on making lessons challenging, but also individualized to help all students feel successful and empowered. She involves her students in adopting weekly learning goals and moves them through station rotations, based on their needs and weekly content.
Linex is a role model for this type of learning and believes confident teachers, “pass their learning and confidence to their own students!”
Secondary Teacher of the Year
LTC Joseph Merlo
Killeen ISD
LTC Joseph Merlo has taught in Killeen for 14 years and leads the Killeen ISD Army JROTC program. He is described as, “a teacher and a leader who works with students to ensure they grow emotionally as well as intellectually.” Merlo’s teaching philosophy focuses on three pillars: be approachable, be consistent and be respectful. He believes that students respond to teachers they can connect with and they, “want to learn things they can apply in real life whenever possible.”
His focus is motivating young people to become better citizens through leadership development.
2017-2018
Superintendent of the Year
Dr. Marc Faulkner
China Spring ISD
Dr. Marc Faulkner has served as superintendent in China Spring ISD since 2012. His actions and attitude focus on implementing systems, policies and practices that encourage his students, his faculty and his community to strive for excellence.
Faulkner is an active member of various associations in his community including the Texas Association of School Administrators, the China Spring-Bosqueville Area Lions Club, and Friends of Texas Public Schools.
He has multiple degrees and certifications, including a Master of Education from Tarleton State University and a Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Stephen F. Austin State University. He served in many roles at CSISD and the surrounding districts prior to his tenure as superintendent, including assistant superintendent for CSISD and principal of China Spring High School.
School Board of the Year
Killeen Board of Trustees
John Craft, Superintendent
Terry Delano, President
Corbett Lawler, Vice President
Minerva Trujillo, Secretary
Shelley Wells
Susan Jones
JoAnn Purser
Marvin Rainwater
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Deborah DeGraff
Waco ISD
Deborah DeGraff has taught for eight years and serves as the Science Lab Teacher at Bell’s Hill Elementary in Waco ISD. She chose to enter the teaching field after her husband’s career in the United States Air Force took her around the world while raising her three children. Her teaching style focuses on innovative, hands-on lessons to make science relevant and meaningful to her students.
She believes that “teaching all students at every grade level demands that every lab experience be adequately prepared, delivered and executed to create a lasting impression on each student.”
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Craig Sullivan
Belton ISD
Craig Sullivan has taught for 31 years and serves as a Construction Science Teacher at Belton High School in Belton ISD. He graduated from Belton High School and returned to teach there after pursuing his degree and teacher’s certification. His teaching focuses on training students to meet the labor skill gap by learning hands-on construction skills for projects in the school and around the community.
Sullivan believes “that hands-on learning and preparing students for work in the industry is vital to the construction trade, the community and our nation’s workforce."