2021-2022 Salute Award Winners
2023 Salute Award Winners / Ganadores de los Premios Salute 2023
Elementary & Secondary Teachers of the Year Winners / Ganadores de Maestros del Año de Primaria y Secundaria
(Photo Left to Right: Megan Vasquez, Becker Elementary, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Samantha Marion, Rosedale School, Secondary Teacher of the Year)
Classified Staff of the Year Winner / Ganadora del Personal Clasificado del Año
Monica Castro, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy
Librarian of the Year Winner / Ganadora de Bibliotecario del Año
Stacey Smith, Govalle Elementary
Counselor of the Year Winner / Ganadora de Consejero del Año
Cynthia Diaz, Small Middle School
Assistant Principal of the Year Winner / Ganador de Subdirector del Año
Matthew Kenny, Blanton Elentary School
Principal of the Year Winner / Ganador de Director del Año
Keith Moore, Campbell Elementary
2023 Salute Award Nominees/Nominados a los Premios Salute 2023
Classified Staff of the Year Nominee / Nominados al Personal Clasificado del Año
Donna Smith-Wright, Norman-Sims Elementary
Sonia Lopez, St. Elmo Elementary
Janice Snyder, Crockett Early College High School
Librarian of the Year Nominees / Nominados al Bibliotecario del Año
Angie Merriman, Baranoff Elementary
Ryan Case, Covington Middle School
Nominees for Counselor of the Year/ Nominados al Consejero del Año
Stephanie Arellanes, Norman-Sims Elementary
Shannon Saul, Odom Elementary
Shelley Goldstein, McCallum High School
Nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year Nominees / Nominados al Subdirector del Año
Samantha Barrett, Travis Heights Elementary
Sarah Tanner, Lively Middle School
Ychacka Sells, LBJ Early College High School
Nominees for Principal of the Year / Nominados al Director del Año
Ben McCormack, St. Elmo Elementary
Stacie Holiday, Lively Middle School
Kori Manor, Crockett High School
Nominees for Teacher of the Year/ Nominados al Maestro del Año
Carey Conner, Graham Elementary
Jose Sanchez, Burnet Middle School
2021-2022 Salute Award Winners
Classified Staff of the Year
2022 Classified Staff of the Year: Stephanie Leslie, Navarro Early College High School
Finalist: Adriana Amador, Doss Elementary
Finalist: Belinda Aleman-Cruz, Langford Elementary
Librarian of the Year
2022 Librarian of the Year: Jill Brady, Eastside Early College High School
Finalist: Shelby Counts, Anderson High School
Finalist: Courtney Ewing, Casis Elementary
Counselor of the Year
2022 Counselor of the Year: Karen Terry, Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy
Finalist: Angela Vera, Kocurek Elementary
Finalist: Sarah Krier, Small Middle School
Assistant Principal of the Year
2022 AP of the Year: Patrick Salinas, Norman-Sims Elementary School
Finalist: Jennifer Dawson, Akins High School
Finalist: April Tabor, Cook Elementary
Finalist: Jessica Lopez, Eastside Early College High School
Principal of the Year
2022 Principal of the Year: Katie Peña, Highland Park Elementary
Finalist: ChaoLin Chang, Joslin Elementary
Finalist: Melissa Rodriguez, Linder Elementary
Teacher of the Year
2022 Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kari Johnston, Perez Elementary School
Finalist: Emily Rogers, Ortega Elementary School
2022 Secondary Teacher of the Year
Iraida Amador-Mercado, Lively Middle School
Finalist: Tatiana Antonio, Clifton Career Development School
2022 Campus Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year
Click here to see our 2022 Teachers of Promise!
Click here to see our 2022 Campus Teachers of the Year!
PTAs, Volunteers, and APIE Champions
- Secondary PTA of the Year, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
- Elementary PTA of the Year, Bernice Hart Elementary School
- APIE Volunteer Champion, Nigel Gombakomba
- APIE Volunteer Champion, UT Pre Dental Society
- APIE Mentor Champion, Bianca Xoyamayagua-Galvan
- MCC Above and Beyond Award, Niles Seldon
- MCC Above and Beyond Award, Joan Quenan
- APIE Business Champion, A+ Federal Credit Union
- APIE Secondary Coordinator of the Year, Sandra Zachary, Parent Support Specialist, Gus Garcia YMLA
- APIE Elementary Coordinator of the Year, Maria Vazquez, Parent Support Specialist, Pleasant Hill Elementary
- APIE Elementary Coordinator of the Year, Bernardo Martinez, Parent Support Specialist, Wooten Elementary
- APIE Support Champion, Nahum Pacheco, IBM / Navarro ECHS P-TECH
Sponsors
Valedictorian
- ϱ Ed Fund
Salutatorian
- City of ϱ
- William Gammon Insurance
Honor Roll
- Ascension Seton
- Scholar
- A+Federal Credit Union
- BLGY Architecture
- Maxwell, Locke & Ritter
- Encotech
- American Constructors
- Engineered Exteriors
- Walsh Gallegos
Graduate
- ϱ Community College
- Method Architecture
- Wells Fargo
- Fuse
- VLK Architects
- Vintage IT Services
- Perkins + Will
- Westminster
2020-2021 Salute Award Winners
Classified Staff of the Year
This year, our district Classified Staff went above and beyond, and stood on the front lines to support our students, staff, families, and ϱ community.
In the almost 450 individual nominations received for Classified Staff of the Year, words like “selfless” “supportive” “respectful” and “the heart and soul of our team” were used to describe these integral members of district and campus operations, including Custodians, Teacher Assistants, Parent Support Specialists, Office Staff, our Transportation team, ϱ Police, and our Food Services team.
Three incredible finalists are being honored to represent our classified staff and their commitment to excellence, superior customer service, leadership skills, and overall enrichment to their campus or department.
We’re proud to announce our finalists for Classified Staff of the Year:
2021 Classified Staff of the Year: Rae Nwosu, Kealing Middle School
Finalist: Linda Rivera, Perez Elementary School
Finalist: Sandra Zachary, Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy
Librarian of the Year
When asked to nominate an individual for Librarian of the Year, our ϱ community spoke of a group of people who are “thoughtful” “patient” “inspiring” “creative” and, to put it simply, “magic.”
Our ϱ Librarians inspire our students by being the pillars of literacy-rich campus cultures. Librarians are at the forefront of helping students navigate media and materials, and create innovative spaces to support students in their literacy goals, social-emotional health, future-ready skills, and a love of learning that extends from books to beyond.
We are honored to announce our finalists for Librarian of the Year:
2021 Librarian of the Year: Bradley Dusing, Sunset Valley Elementary School
Finalist: Bonnie Lang, Doss Elementary School
Finalist: Angie Merriman, Baranoff Elementary School
Counselor of the Year
“Caring” “Compassionate” “Engaging” and “a Champion for Students”. These are just a few of the statements used to describe this year’s nominees for Counselor of the Year.
In ϱ, our Counselors serve as pillars of support for students to fully develop their academic, career, personal, and social and emotional potential. Through college and career planning, unique SEL lessons, community building, and supporting students through their physical and emotional well-being, our counselors represent the heart of our schools.
Let’s hear more about our three magnificent finalists for ϱ’s Counselor of the Year:
2021 Counselor of the Year: Cristina Torres, O. Henry Middle School
Finalist: Cari Land, Highland Park Elementary School
Finalist: Nicole Lozo, Boone Elementary School
Assistant Principal of the Year
Encouraging. Supportive. Understanding. The nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year excel at ensuring student success –and campus success– through relationship-building and positive interactions with all members of the school community.
Tonight, we honor three wonderful assistant principals who have gone above and beyond in support of their teams. They have stepped into numerous roles on their campuses, and have demonstrated a commitment to excellence through modeling the values, beliefs, and attitudes that inspire students and staff to achieve wonderful greatness.
Here are our proud finalists for Assistant Principal of the year:
2021 Assistant Principal of the Year: Michael Coyle, Webb Middle School
Finalist: Dinorah De La Torre Salazar, Travis Heights Elementary School
Finalist: Chara Harris, Murchison Middle School
Principal of the Year
In a year like no other, our principals and campus leaders have served their communities with the belief that anything is possible through creativity, collaboration, and compassion. The nominations submitted for Principal of the Year spoke of our Principals as inspirational, transformational, and instrumental in uniting their campus communities.
The three finalists for Principal of the Year embody what it means to lead a campus with heart. They inspire not only their students, but their teams to be curious, innovative, and to reach new heights each and every day.
We are honored to announce our three finalists for Principal of the Year:
2021 Principal of the Year: Elizabeth Dickey, Rosedale School
Finalist: Jennifer Pace, Widen Elementary School
Finalist: Corrine Saenz, Reilly Elementary School
Teacher of the Year
2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year
Angie Baca-Ross, Joslin Elementary School
Finalist
Lisa Richardson, Walnut Creek Elementary School
2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year
Dr. Sanford Jeames, Eastside Early College High School
Finalist
Joseph Alan Sosa, Lamar Middle School
2020-2021 Campus Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year
Click here to see the 2020-2021 Campus Teachers of Promise
Click here to see the 2020-2021 Campus Teachers of the Year
PTAs and Volunteers
PTAs of the Year
Blanton Elementary and ϱ High
Volunteers of the Year
Click here to see ϱ ISD's 2020-21 Volunteers of the Year
APIE Honorees
APIE Champion
APIE Volunteer of the Year: Scott Mackey
APIE High School Champion: Travis ECHS
APIE Tech Champion: HMG Creative
APIE Donor Champion: Applied Materials Foundation
APIE Hall of Fame
Dr. Pat Forgione and Mr. Earl Maxwell
Our Sponsors
Salutatorian
City of ϱ
Honor Roll
Wells Fargo
Scholar
A+ Federal Credit Union
Charles Schwab
Engineered Exteriors
Maxwell Locke & Ritter LLP
Walsh Gallegos Trevino Kyle & Robinson P.C.
Vintage IT Services
Graduate
American Constructors
ϱ Community College
BLGY Architecture
Encotech
Fuse Architecture
Method Architecture
Mueller (Catellus)
Westminster
Mr. William Gammon
Watch the 2020 virtual Salute ceremony below:
from on .
ϱ's 2019-20 Teachers of Promise
ϱ's 2019-20 Campus Teachers of the Year
Classified Staff of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ classified employee. Classified employees are defined as hourly employees and include, but are not limited to, teacher assistants, office staff and custodians. The Classified Staff of the Year recognizes an ϱ staff member who has gone beyond his/her regularly assigned job duties to promote the development and/or progress of the district’s mission, and should demonstrate a positive effect on the ϱ campus/community.
2020 Classified Staff of the Year: Wayne Sneed, ϱ Police
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Nominee: Bernardo Martinez, Wooten ES
Nominee: Brittney Nobles, Blanton ES
Librarian of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus librarian. The Librarian of the Year should demonstrate collaborative relationships with students, families and staff and create a learning environment that contributes to student success.
Nominee: 2020 Librarian of the Year: Megan Kite, Pleasant Hill ES
Nominee: Jill Brady, Eastside Memorial ECHS
Nominee: Monica Juarez, Sadler Means YWLA
Counselor of the Year
The award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus counselor. The Counselor of the Year should demonstrate collaborative relationships with students, parents and staff that contribute to student success and a positive campus climate.
2020 Counselor of the Year: Kristina Kern, Mills ES
Nominee: Janette Ruiz, Cook ES
Nominee: Kathryn Gee, Bryker Woods
Assistant Principal of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus assistant principal. The nominee must have the job title of “assistant principal”. Nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year should exhibit leadership qualities centered around the support and maintenance of collaborative relationships with students, parents and staff that positively affect student achievement and campus climate.
2020 Assistant Principal of the Year: Amanda Arguijo, Martin MS
Nominee: Liza Karseno, Odom ES
Nominee: Susan Leos, Bowie HS
Principal of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus principal. The Principal of the Year should demonstrate attributes that foster an exemplary campus environment by promoting positive community engagement, high student achievement, healthy campus climate, and an effective leadership style.
2020 Principal of the Year: Tony Dishner, Clifton CDS
Nominee: Grace Martino-Brewster, Mathews ES
Nominee: Kori Crawford, Crockett HS
Nominee: Samuel Tinnon, Casis ES
Teacher of the Year
Elementary Teacher of the Year
2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year: Sandy Chilton, Uphaus
Runner Up: Emily Galindo Placette, Wooten
Secondary Teacher of the Year
2020 Secondary Teacher of the Year: Liliana Barrientos, Mendez
Runner up: Armin Salek, Akins
2019 Salute Award Winners
Check out photos from the event .
Classified Staff of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ classified employee. Classified employees are defined as hourly employees and include, but are not limited to, teacher assistants, office staff and custodians. The Classified Staff of the Year recognizes an ϱ staff member who has gone beyond his/her regularly assigned job duties to promote the development and/or progress of the district’s mission, and should demonstrate a positive effect on the ϱ campus/community.
2019 Classified Staff of the Year - Nickie Nall, Gullett Elementary
Librarian of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus librarian. The Librarian of the Year should demonstrate collaborative relationships with students, families and staff and create a learning environment that contributes to student success.
2019 Librarian of the Year - Heather Stephens, McBee Elementary
Counselor of the Year
The award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus counselor. The Counselor of the Year should demonstrate collaborative relationships with students, parents and staff that contribute to student success and a positive campus climate.
2019 Counselor of the Year - Wanda Montemayor, O. Henry Middle School
Assistant Principal of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus assistant principal. The nominee must have the job title of “assistant principal”. Nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year should exhibit leadership qualities centered around the support and maintenance of collaborative relationships with students, parents and staff that positively affect student achievement and campus climate.
2019 Assistant Principal of the Year - Travis Brunner, O. Henry Middle School
Principal of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding ϱ campus principal. The Principal of the Year should demonstrate attributes that foster an exemplary campus environment by promoting positive community engagement, high student achievement, healthy campus climate, and an effective leadership style.
2019 Principal of the Year - Dinorah Bores, Walnut Creek Elementary School
Teacher of the Year
Elementary Teacher of the Year
2019 Elementary Teacher of the Year - Ashley Rivera, Blazier Elementary School
Secondary Teacher of the Year
2019 Secondary Teacher of the Year - Kimberly Collins, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Congratulations to all the 2018 winners!
Campus Classified Staff of the Year
Ixtlani Palomo, Andrews Elementary School
Librarian of the Year
Minda Anderson, Becker Elementary School
Counselor of the Year
Mary Wynn, Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy
Assistant Principal of the Year
Brandy Gratten, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy
Principal of the Year
Kenisha Coburn, Kealing Middle School
Teacher of the Year
Larry Perez, Barbara Jordan Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year
Laurie Beaman, Lanier High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year