Round of Applause
Let’s give a big round of applause to our ATPE members all around the state who go above and beyond.
Eight ATPE members were named 2025 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year in September, and Round Rock ATPE member Christine Mihealsick was named the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year in October. The Texas Teacher of the Year program is facilitated by the Texas Association of School Administrators.
- Region 2, Elementary
- Rosalinda Garcia, Banquete Elementary School, Banquete ISD
- Region 3, Secondary
- Kaitlin Staloch, Hope High School, Calhoun County ISD
- Region 5, Elementary
- Lois Shoemake, Deweyville Elementary School, Deweyville ISD
- Region 9, Elementary and Secondary
- Andrea Hollis, Midway Elementary, Midway ISD
- Robyn Little, Burkburnett High School, Burkburnett ISD
- Region 13, Secondary
- Christine Mihealsick, Westwood High School, Round Rock ISD (finalist)
- Region 14, Secondary
- Jennifer Jordan, Abilene High School, Abilene ISD
- Region 18, Secondary
- Darla Morrow, James R. Brooks Middle School, Greenwood ISD (finalist)
Floresville
Stephanie Gilchrist, a second grade teacher at Floresville South Elementary School, was named Floresville ISD’s Teacher of the Month for October.
George West
George West Junior High School Principal Mandy Becker was named Employee of the Month for October. She was nominated by her peers and recognized during the October George West ISD school board meeting.
Humble
The following ATPE members were chosen by their peers to represent their respective campuses throughout the 2024-25 school year as the campus teacher of the year. Secondary Teachers of the Year were recognized at the Humble ISD School Board meeting in September, and Elementary Teachers of the Year were recognized during the October school board meeting.
- Briana Boston, Centennial Elementary
- Wendy Curtis, Deerwood Elementary
- Libby Defries, Riverwood Middle School
- Emily Gibson, Community Learning Center
- Ana L. Gonzalez, North Bend Elementary
- Natalie Harris, River Pines Elementary
- Timothy Harris, Timberwood Middle School
- Lauren Jaeger, Hidden Hollow Elementary
- Broderick Lindsey, Timbers Elementary
- James Linse, Lakeland Elementary
- Drew Ortner, Atascocita Springs Elementary
- Tracie Reynolds, Eagle Springs Elementary
- Laura Stokes, Humble High School
- Joanie Surles, West Lake Middle School
La Joya
Sara Silva, an English teacher at Palmview High School, received the CBS 4 and ValleyCentral.com Golden Apple Award in October. Silva was the first Golden Apple Teacher to receive the award this school year.
Nacogdoches
The Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association named Dottie McClain as a Distinguished Alum in October. McClain is a 1984 graduate of Nacogdoches High School and is now the school’s lead counselor.
Northside (20)
Melinda Valdez, a STEM teacher at Beard Elementary, received the KENS 5 Excel Award in September, and Credit Human, a nonprofit credit union, presented her with a $2,000 check.
Wichita Falls
Jamie Cove, a fifth grade math teacher at Scotland Park Elementary, received October’s Teacher Spotlight Award from News Channel 6, Wichita Falls ISD, and First Bank.
