Rising Star Elementary Category Winner

Shay Harman
Benignus Elementary
Spring

This award recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience. The two winning teachers each received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.

Rising Star Secondary Category Winner

Gretchen Catron
John Jay Science & Engineering
San Antonio

This award recognizes teachers with less than 10 years of experience. The two winning teachers each received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.

Leadership Elementary Category Winner

Jennifer Atkinson
Metz Elementary
Austin

This award honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. The two winning teachers each received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their school.

Leadership Secondary Category Winner

Kathy Westbrook
Alice High School
Alice

This award honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. The two winning teachers each received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their school.

Lifetime Achievement Elementary Category Winner

Dr. Julia Battle
Mary L. Hartman Elementary
San Antonio

This award salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. The two winning teachers each receive $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

Lifetime Achievement Secondary Category Winner

John Owen
Rockport-Fulton High School
Rockport

This award salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. The two winning teachers each receive $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their school.

Elementary School Principal Category Winner

Brenda Farias
Cable Elementary
San Antonio

Farias, the winner in this category, received $10,000 in cash for herself and a $25,000 grant for her school.

Secondary School Principal Category Winner

Bertie Simmons
Ebbert L. Furr High School
Houston

Simmons, the winner in this category, received $10,000 in cash for herself and a $25,000 grant for her school.

Large School District Category Winner

Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, Rosenberg
Superintendent: Dr. Thomas Randle

As the winning large school district, Lamar CISD received a $100,000 cash prize.

Small School District Category Winner

IDEA Public Schools, Weslaco
Superintendent: Thomas Torkelson

As the winning small school district, IDEA Public Schools received a $50,000 cash prize.