Round of Applause
Let’s give a round of applause to our ATPE members all around the state who go above and beyond.
TAEA
The following ATPE members were recognized at the Texas Art Education Association (TAEA) conference in November:
- Art Educator-Supervisor/Administrator of the Year: Theresa Yasger, Northside (20)
- National Art Honor Society Sponsor: Keri Reynolds, Alief ISD
- Outstanding Art Educator, Elementary: Natalie Harris, Humble ISD
Julie Gallow, an art teacher at Foster Elementary School in Humble ISD, became the 98th person in the 68-year history of TAEA to be inducted as a Distinguished Fellow, a lifetime achievement award. Gallow also received TAEA’s Outstanding Art Educator Award in the Elementary category in 2022.
Aldine
The following ATPE members were named 2025-26 Campus Teachers of the Year for their respective campuses:
- Davis High School: Michael Spears
- Hall Success Academy: Alan D. Moore
- Keeble EC/PreK/K School: Melissa Alanis
- Lane School: LaTasha N. Smith
Aransas Pass
Stephanie Hunter, a special education teacher at Faulk Elementary, and Margaret Montemayor, a receptionist and attendance clerk at Charlie Marshall Elementary, were named Aransas Pass ISD’s November Employees of the Month.
Comal
Melanie Wilkes, a first grade teacher at Indian Springs Elementary, and Cassie Perkins, a teacher at Pieper Ranch Middle School, were selected by the Valero Alamo Bowl and PNC Bank for the Extra Yard for Teachers program. The award included a $500 grant for classroom resources, tickets to the 2025 Valero Alamo Bowl, and special recognition at the game.
Grapevine-Colleyville
The following ATPE members received Star Teaching Grants from the Grapevine-Colleyville Education Foundation in December:
- Colleen Patton, Bransford Elementary School: “Ideas in 3D: Turning Imagination Into Reality”
- India Maine, Dove Elementary School: “Math Stackers”
- Lara Whitehouse-Jensen, Cross Timbers Middle School: “Socioeconomic Equity in Band Program”
- Emily Powell: “Conference for the Advancement of Mathematics (CAMT) Math Professional Development”
- Shiela Shiver: “ActivatEd 2026”
Hutto
Callie Dawson received two Excellence in Education Grants from the Hutto Education Foundation, which supports innovative classroom projects and educational initiatives in Hutto ISD.
Nacogdoches
Several ATPE members and their respective departments received the following innovative grants from the Nacogdoches ISD Education Foundation in December:
- Debra Phillips and Deidre Merritt—Science—McMichael Middle School: $4,500 for slot car racetracks that will be used by students to explore calculations of speed, distance, and time.
- Gerald Fonzie, Suzanna Houston, and Chelsi Condon—McMichael Middle School: $4,500 for a high-impact tiered incentive and student leadership program promoting goal-setting, elevated academic performance, and campus climate.
- Monica Gryder and Tabatha Smith—Mike Moses Elementary: $4,500 for all fifth graders to attend STEM camp.
- Amy Chism and John Thompson—Science—Nacogdoches High School: $4,500 for interactive hands-on watershed models demonstrating natural water systems, pollution, prevention, and cleanup.
Paris
Lesley Young, a teacher at Paris Junior High School, was selected as October’s Credit Union of Texas (CUTX) Teacher of the Month.
LaT’asha Marshall, Shenuda Ellis-Jones, and Amy Hooten received Paris ISD’s GROWL (Getting Results from Outstanding Wildcat Leaders) Award for the month of October.
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