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 YMLA

Monica Castro, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy

 

Librarian of the Year Winner / Ganadora de Bibliotecario del Año

Stacey Smith, Govalle Elementary

Stacey Smith, Govalle Elementary

 

Counselor of the Year Winner / Ganadora de Consejero del Año

Cynthia Diaz, Small Middle School

Cynthia Diaz, Small Middle School

 

Assistant Principal of the Year Winner / Ganador de Subdirector del Año

Untitled-1_0021_AP-Blanton-Kenny.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matthew Kenny, Blanton Elentary School

 

Principal of the Year Winner / Ganador de Director del Año

Keith Moore

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

Donna Smith-Wright, Norman-Sims Elementary 

 

Sonia Lopez, St. Elmo Elementary

Sonia Lopez, St. Elmo Elementary

 

Janice Snyder, Crockett Early College High School

Janice Snyder, Crockett Early College High School

 

Librarian of the Year Nominees / Nominados al Bibliotecario del Año 

Angie Merriman, Baranoff Elementary

Angie Merriman, Baranoff Elementary

 

Ryan Case, Covington

Ryan Case, Covington Middle School

 

Nominees for Counselor of the Year/ Nominados al Consejero del Año 

Stephanie Arellanes, Norman-Sims Elementary

Stephanie Arellanes, Norman-Sims Elementary

 

Shannon Saul, Odom Elementary

Shannon Saul, Odom Elementary

 

Shelley Goldstein, McCallum High School

Shelley Goldstein, McCallum High School

 

Nominees for Assistant Principal of the Year Nominees / Nominados al Subdirector del Año

Samantha Barrett

Samantha Barrett, Travis Heights Elementary

 

Sarah Tanner

Sarah Tanner, Lively Middle School

 

Ychacka Sells

Ychacka Sells, LBJ Early College High School

 

Nominees for Principal of the Year / Nominados al Director del Año

Ben McCormack

Ben McCormack, St. Elmo Elementary

 

Stacie Holiday

Stacie Holiday, Lively Middle School

 

Kori Manor

Kori Manor, Crockett High School

 

Nominees for Teacher of the Year/ Nominados al Maestro del Año

Carey Conner

Carey Conner, Graham Elementary

 

Jose Sanchez

Jose Sanchez, Burnet Middle School

 

2021-2022 Salute Award Winners

Classified Staff of the Year
 

Stephanie Leslie, Navarro

2022 Classified Staff of the Year: Stephanie Leslie, Navarro Early College High School

 

Adriana Amador, Doss Elementary

Finalist: Adriana Amador, Doss Elementary

 

Belinda Aleman-Cruz, Langford Elementary

Finalist: Belinda Aleman-Cruz, Langford Elementary

 

 

Librarian of the Year
 

Jill Brady, Eastside

2022 Librarian of the Year: Jill Brady, Eastside Early College High School

 

Shelby Counts, Anderson

Finalist: Shelby Counts, Anderson High School

 

Courtney Ewing, Casis

Finalist: Courtney Ewing, Casis Elementary
 

Counselor of the Year
 

Karen Terry - Sadler Means

2022 Counselor of the Year: Karen Terry, Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy

 

Angela Vera, Kocurek

Finalist: Angela Vera, Kocurek Elementary
 

Sarah Krier

Finalist: Sarah Krier, Small Middle School

 

 

Assistant Principal of the Year
 

Patrick Salinas, Norman-Sims

2022 AP of the Year: Patrick Salinas, Norman-Sims Elementary School
 

Jennifer Dawson, Akins

Finalist: Jennifer Dawson, Akins High School

 

April Tabor, Cook

Finalist: April Tabor, Cook Elementary

 

Jessica Lopez, Eastside

Finalist: Jessica Lopez, Eastside Early College High School

 

Principal of the Year
 

Katie Pena, Highland Park

2022 Principal of the Year: Katie Peña, Highland Park Elementary

 

ChaoLin Chang, Joslin

Finalist: ChaoLin Chang, Joslin Elementary

 

Melissa Rodriguez, Linder

Finalist: Melissa Rodriguez, Linder Elementary

 

Teacher of the Year

2022 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Kari Johnston - Perez Elementary School

Kari Johnston, Perez Elementary School

 

Emily Rogers, Ortega

Finalist: Emily Rogers, Ortega Elementary School

 

2022 Secondary Teacher of the Year

Iraida Amador-Mercado, Lively

Iraida Amador-Mercado, Lively Middle School

 

Tatiana Antonio, Clifton Career Development 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:
 

Rae Nwosu, Kealing Middle School

2021 Classified Staff of the Year: Rae Nwosu, Kealing Middle School

 

Linda Rivera, Perez Middle School

Finalist: Linda Rivera, Perez Elementary School

 

Sandra Zachary, Garcia YMLA

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:

 

Bradley Dusing, Sunset Valley

2021 Librarian of the Year: Bradley Dusing, Sunset Valley Elementary School

 

Bonnie Lang, Doss Elementary

Finalist: Bonnie Lang, Doss Elementary School

 

Angie Merriman, Baranoff

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:
 

Cristina Torres, O. Henry

2021 Counselor of the Year: Cristina Torres, O. Henry Middle School
 

Cari Land, Counselor

Finalist: Cari Land, Highland Park Elementary School

 

Nicole Lozo, Boone

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:

 

Michael Coyle, Webb Middle School

2021 Assistant Principal of the Year: Michael Coyle, Webb Middle School

 

Dinorah De La Torre Salazar, Travis Heights

Finalist: Dinorah De La Torre Salazar, Travis Heights Elementary School

 

Chara Harris, Murchison Middle 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:
 

Elizabeth Dickey, Rosedale School

2021 Principal of the Year: Elizabeth Dickey, Rosedale School

 

Jennifer Pace

Finalist: Jennifer Pace, Widen Elementary School

 

Corrine Saenz, Reilly Elementary School

Finalist: Corrine Saenz, Reilly Elementary School

 

Teacher of the Year

2021 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Angie Baca-Ross, Joslin Elementary

Angie Baca-Ross, Joslin Elementary School

 

Finalist

Lisa Richardson, Walnut Creek Elementary

Lisa Richardson, Walnut Creek Elementary School

 

2021 Secondary Teacher of the Year

Sanford Jeames, Eastside Early College High School

Dr. Sanford Jeames, Eastside Early College High School

 

Finalist

Joseph Alan Sosa, Lamar Middle School

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. 

Wayne Sneed Photo

2020 Classified Staff of the Year: Wayne Sneed, ϱ Police

 

Bernardo Martinez Photo'

Nominee: Bernardo Martinez, Wooten ES

Brittney Nobles Photo

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. 

Megan Kite Photo

Nominee: 2020 Librarian of the Year: Megan Kite, Pleasant Hill ES

 

Jill Brady Photo

Nominee: Jill Brady, Eastside Memorial ECHS
 

Monica Juarez Photo

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. 

Kristina Kern Photo

2020 Counselor of the Year: Kristina Kern, Mills ES

 

Janette Ruiz Photo

Nominee: Janette Ruiz, Cook ES

Kathryn Gee Photo

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. 

 

Amanda Arguijo photo

2020 Assistant Principal of the Year: Amanda Arguijo, Martin MS

 

Liza Karseno Photo

Nominee: Liza Karseno, Odom ES

Susan Leos photo

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.

Tony Dishner

2020 Principal of the Year: Tony Dishner,  Clifton CDS

 

 

Grace Martino-Brewster

Nominee: Grace Martino-Brewster,  Mathews ES

 

Kori Crawford

Nominee: Kori Crawford, Crockett HS

 

Samuel Tinnon

Nominee: Samuel Tinnon, Casis ES

 

 

Teacher of the Year

Elementary Teacher of the Year

Sandy Chilton

2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year: Sandy Chilton, Uphaus

 

Emily Galindo Placette

Runner Up: Emily Galindo Placette, Wooten 

 

Secondary Teacher of the Year

Liliana Barrientos, Mendez

2020 Secondary Teacher of the Year: Liliana Barrientos, Mendez

 

Armin Salek

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. 

 

Nickie Nall, Classified Staff of the Year

 

 

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. 

 

Heather Stephens, Librarian of the year

 

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. 

 

Wanda Montemayor, Counselor of the year

 

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. 

 

Travis Brunner, Assistant Principal of the Year

 

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.

 

Dinorah Bores, Principal of the Year

 

2019 Principal of the Year - Dinorah Bores, Walnut Creek Elementary School

 

Teacher of the Year

Elementary Teacher of the Year

Ashley Rivera, Elementary Teacher of the Year

2019 Elementary Teacher of the Year - Ashley Rivera, Blazier Elementary School

 

Secondary Teacher of the Year

Kimberly Collins, 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

 

 

Palomo Photo

Ixtlani Palomo, Andrews Elementary School

 

Librarian of the Year

 

 

Minda Anderson Becker Elementary

Minda Anderson, Becker Elementary School

 

Counselor of the Year

 

 

Mary Wynn

Mary Wynn, Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy

 

Assistant Principal of the Year

 

 

Brandy Gratten

Brandy Gratten, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy

 

Principal of the Year

 

 

Kenisha Coburn

Kenisha Coburn, Kealing Middle School

 

Teacher of the Year

 

 

Larry Perez

Larry Perez, Barbara Jordan Elementary School, Elementary Teacher of the Year

Laurie Beaman

 Laurie Beaman, Lanier High School, Secondary Teacher of the Year