H-E-B announces 2026 finalists for Excellence in Education Awards
April 3, 2026

H-E-B announces 2026 finalists for Excellence in Education Awards

April 3, 2026

H-E-B announces 2026 finalists for Excellence in Education Awards

Today, H-E-B announced 50 Texas teachers, counselors and principals, five early childhood facilities, five public school boards and eight school districts as finalists in the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, which awards cash prizes to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and communities.

Over the past several months, H-E-B awarded $120,000 to the teachers, counselors and principals and their schools during surprise visits across the state. Teacher finalists were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,000 check for their school; counselors were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,500 check for their school; and principals received a $1,000 check for themselves and a $2,500 check for their school.

Additionally, H-E-B awarded a total of $90,000 ($5,000 each) to the five early childhood facilities, five public school boards and eight school district finalists. The 68 finalists for 2026 are:

CENTRAL TEXAS

  • Marissa Marciel, Trinity Ranch Elementary School, Elgin ISD, Rising Star Elementary
  • Megan McCune, Armando Chapa Middle School, Hays CISD, Rising Star Secondary
  • Megan Vasquez, Herman Becker Elementary School, Austin ISD, Leadership Elementary
  • Azucena Overman, Cedar Ridge High School, Round Rock ISD, Leadership Secondary
  • Alasin DeVeny, Joslin Elementary School, Austin ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
  • Carol Reese, West Ridge Middle School, Eanes ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary
  • Jennifer Blum, Adelton Elementary School, Bastrop ISD, School Counselor Elementary
  • Molly Heath, Marble Falls High School, Marble Falls ISD, School Counselor Secondary
  • Shannon Morrison, Thorndale Elementary School, Thorndale ISD, Principal Elementary
  • Daniel Garcia, John B. Connally High School, Pflugerville ISD, Principal Secondary

HOUSTON

  • Latoya Davis, Stafford Early Childhood Center, Stafford MSD, Rising Star Elementary
  • Heather Rodriguez, North Shore Senior High School, Galena Park ISD, Rising Star Secondary
  • Dustin Perez, Robert L. Crippen Elementary School, New Caney ISD, Leadership Elementary
  • Richard Embrick, Wright Junior High School, Lamar CISD, Leadership Secondary
  • Tammy Wise Sanchez, Sneed Elementary School, Alief ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
  • James Sheridan, YES Prep East End Secondary School, YES Prep Public Schools Inc., Lifetime Achievement Secondary
  • Wendy Reyes, Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary School, Clear Creek ISD, School Counselor Elementary
  • Emily Wilcox, Sartartia Middle School, Fort Bend ISD, School Counselor Secondary
  • Lisa Hamblen, James B. Havard Elementary School, Galena Park ISD, Principal Elementary
  • Ruth Pena, Charles H. Milby High School, Houston ISD, Principal Secondary

NORTH TEXAS

  • Maria Bofi, Dan D. Rogers Elementary School, Dallas ISD, Rising Star Elementary
  • Phil Vilar, Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas ISD, Rising Star Secondary
  • Joe Parthemore, Heritage Elementary School, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Leadership Elementary
  • Alejandro De La Peña Jr., Parkland Pre-Engineering Middle School, Yselta ISD, Leadership Secondary
  • Margo Anderson, Jim & Betty Hughes Elementary School, Prosper ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
  • Angie Redwine, Abernathy High School, Abernathy ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary
  • Amanda Still, Charles A. Tosch Elementary School, Mesquite ISD, School Counselor Elementary
  • Kaniesha McEwen, Jack E. Singley Academy, Irving ISD, School Counselor Secondary
  • Mahlee Johnson, Charles A. Tosch Elementary School, Mesquite ISD, Principal Elementary
  • Melissa Saenz, Montwood Middle School, Socorro ISD, Principal Secondary

SAN ANTONIO

  • Grecia Aguilera, James Madison Elementary School, San Antonio ISD, Rising Star Elementary
  • Monica Lopez, Alamo Heights High School, Alamo Heights ISD, Rising Star Secondary
  • Jessica Welch, Sun Valley Elementary School, Southwest ISD Leadership Elementary
  • Oscar Garcia, CAST Med High School, San Antonio ISD, Leadership Secondary
  • Silvia Corado, Charles Graebner Elementary School, San Antonio ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
  • Kevin Korpi, New Braunfels High School, New Braunfels ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary
  • Courtney Allison, Memorial Elementary School, New Braunfels ISD, School Counselor Elementary
  • Kristen Guerra, Pieper High School, Comal ISD, School Counselor Secondary
  • Summer Gault, Van Raub Elementary School, Boerne ISD, Principal Elementary
  • Michele Ramirez-Castaneda, “Tex” Hill Middle School, North East ISD, Principal Secondary

SOUTH TEXAS

  • Carolina De Anda, Carmen Anaya Elementary School, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Rising Star Elementary
  • Deanna Evans, Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi ISD, Rising Star Secondary
  • Anahi Espinoza, Dr. R. E. Margo Elementary School, Weslaco ISD, Leadership Elementary
  • Claudia Cortez, Gladys Porter Early College High School, Brownsville ISD, Leadership Secondary
  • Tami Bhadai, Cesar Chavez Elementary School, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
  • Valton Acree, Yorktown Secondary School, Yorktown ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary
  • Angelica Ramos, Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary School, McAllen ISD, School Counselor Elementary
  • Flor Villarreal, Judge Mario E. Ramirez, Jr. Juvenile Justice Center, Edinburg CISD, School Counselor Secondary
  • Michelle Gonzalez, Macdonell Elementary School, Laredo ISD, Principal Elementary
  • Tina Garza, Harlingen School of Health Professions, Harlingen CISD, Principal Secondary

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FACILITIES

  • Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School, San Marcos CISD, San Marcos
  • Goodwill Exploration Center, Austin
  • Gregory-Portland Early Childhood Center, Gregory-Portland ISD, Portland
  • Lena Pope Early Learning Center, Fort Worth
  • Menchaca Early Childhood Center, Southside ISD, San Antonio

SCHOOL BOARDS

  • Alice ISD, Alice
  • Corpus Christi ISD, Corpus Christi
  • Garland ISD, Garland
  • Lake Dallas ISD, Lake Dallas
  • Mesquite ISD, Mesquite

LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS

  • Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, Carrollton
  • Dickinson ISD, Dickinson
  • Garland ISD, Garland
  • Pearland ISD, Pearland
  • Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Pharr

SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS 

  • Alice ISD, Alice
  • Angleton ISD, Angleton
  • Midway ISD, Woodway

All finalists will go on to compete for even greater prizes at the statewide level next month. Winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3 at the Marriott Marquis Houston where $480,000 in cash awards and grants will be awarded.

H-E-B will select six winning teachers, including one elementary and one secondary teacher, in each of the following three categories:

  • The Rising Star Award — honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. These winners will each receive a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.
  • The Leadership Award — honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. These winners will each receive a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their schools.
  • The Lifetime Achievement Award —salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers will each receive $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.

Two winning counselors—one elementary and one secondary—will receive $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $15,000 grant for their school. Two winning principals—one elementary and one secondary—will receive $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools. One winning early childhood facility will receive $25,000; one or more school boards will receive up to $25,000; one large school district will receive $100,000; and one small school district will receive $50,000.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded almost $15 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, school counselors, principals, early childhood centers, public school boards and school districts.

Call for 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Nominations

Nominations for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are now open to all state-certified public school professionals currently working in Texas. Teachers, counselors, principals, early childhood centers, school boards, and districts can win cash prizes for their extraordinary work. Nominations will close on September 30, 2026.
NOMINATE

About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Each year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program awards cash prizes to honor outstanding public school professionals, and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded almost $15 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, counselors, principals, public schools, early childhood centers, school boards, and school districts. A longtime supporter of public education, H-E-B answers the call by donating more than $12 million each year to Texas education initiatives. 

To learn more, visit HEBLovesTeachers.com.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

About H-E-B

H-E-B, with sales of more than $50 billion, operates over 455 stores in Texas and Mexico. Known for its innovation and community service, H-E-B celebrates its 120th anniversary this year. Recognized for its fresh food, quality products, convenient services, and a commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability, H-E-B strives to provide the best customer experience and low prices. Based in San Antonio, H-E-B employs over 170,000 Partners in Texas and Mexico and serves millions of customers in more than 300 communities. For more information, visit heb.com and the H-E-B Newsroom.

Media Gallery
Tozi Super Foods Tortillas and Tortilla Chips

Austin

Proudly Mexicana-founded and family-led, Tozi Superfoods blends heritage with health in every bite. The Mexican American food company is inspired by the Aztec goddess of health, Toci. Founded by two sisters and their mother, Tozi blends six generations of tradition from their family ranch in Jalisco, Mexico, with the power of indigenous superfoods like blue corn and amaranth – once a sacred staple of the Aztecs and a complete plant-based protein, rich in fiber, antioxidants, and cultural history. From tortillas to totopos, every product is clean, seed oil free, gluten free, nutrient-rich, and rooted in heritage – with wellness at the heart of it all. Tozi truly is “where heritage meets health”. 

Spicytude Spices

Dallas

Spicytude’s story begins where traditions are passed down and flavors come alive, the kitchen. Specifically, the kitchen of Arpi’s  grandmother. With a deep-rooted love of South Indian cooking and a craving for the flavors of her childhood, Arpi’s dream is to make flavorful Indian cooking easy and accessible for everyone with curated spice kits, step-by-step recipes, and video instructions. No guesswork, just bold flavor. Founded in the quiet days of 2020, Spicytude crafts small-batch, thoughtfully sourced spice blends that bring bold, authentic Indian flavors to home kitchens across the country.

Rigo’s Dairy
Latin-Style Cheese 

Bryan (Houston Region)

With four generations of cheesemaking behind them, Rigo’s Dairy is bringing traditional yet bold Venezuelan flavor to Texas tables. Based in Bryan, this family-run cheese plant  uses 100% cow’s milk and sticks to the same time-tested methods brought from their native Venezuela – no artificial flavors or shortcuts  – crafting authentic Latin-style cheeses that blend generations of tradition with the hard work and family values that define the Lone Star State. The result is a selection of cheeses that are fresh, rich, and full of flavor you can taste in every bite.

Oca Foods Peanut Butter

Austin (Central Texas Region)

After spending several years in the U.S., Renato Raposo found himself missing one of his favorite childhood snacks, Pacoca [pah-SOK-ah], a beloved Brazilian peanut treat. His connection with the snack deepened after the passing of his father in 2022 – it was a snack they loved and shared together. Unable to find a clean and simple version of this nostalgic treat, he created OCA Foods. By June 2024, he left a tech career to pursue OCA full-time, transforming this craving into a mission to share a wholesome, meaningful snack with the world.

Long Phung Food Products
Vietnamese Meat Products

Houston

For more than 35 years and two generations, Long Phung has been serving up bold, delicious bites of Vietnam – one pork roll at a time. This Houston-based, family-owned brand is beloved for its ready-to-heat favorites made with quality ingredients and no artificial additives. Available in over 200 stores across North America, Long Phung makes it easy to bring a little taste of tradition and a lot of flavor to your table.

The Lavish Goat Bath Products

Sugarland (Houston Region)

The Lavish Goat crafts vibrant bath and body products designed to turn everyday routines into joyful rituals. What started in Candice and Sean Wheat’s kitchen during the pandemic has grown into a women-led, minority-owned manufacturer producing high-quality bath bombs and menthol-infused shower steamers. Known for their colorful designs and hidden prize surprises, The Lavish Goat combines artistry, aromatherapy, and community impact-all made in Texas with heart supporting the community through charitable efforts and internships for adults with Autism and Down Syndrome.

Klein Smokehaus Bacon 

Boerne (San Antonio Region)

Klein Smokehaus Oak Smoked Bacon is locally made and handcrafted on Boerne’s Hill Country Mile by native Texans the old-world way. This slow process and local oak creates bacon with a unique depth of aroma and flavor. Family owned and operated since 1950; Klein Smokehaus has deep roots in the Texas Hill Country. A nod to this German heritage and tradition, Klein’s specialty meat products are a true taste of history.

Jam-In Tools Crawfish Peeler

Dickinson (Houston Region)

JAM-IN Crawfish Tool, started as a simple idea to take the hassle out of crawfish boils. It has grown into a homegrown gadget that keeps the tradition of crawfish boils fun and accessible for all, with a product that’s tough, practical, and Texas through and through. From first timers to seasoned pros,   peeling crawfish can be quick, easy, and nail friendly. Proudly based in Dickinson, founder Joann Meguess works with local partners to build and package each tool right here in Texas.

Deli Spice Cooking Spices 

McAllen (Border Region)

Born from Sully Villareal’s dream to share real Mexican food with the world (no shortcuts) Deli Spices’ Birria Spice Mix is made withreal dried chiles and toasted spices. It’s a 3-step recipe: just add meat, water, and the mix — no cooking skills required. Everyblend is tested by families and perfected by a Mexican mom in Texas to help people cook authentic birria in under 30 minutes withrestaurant-level flavor and reviving the Villareal family’s memories with every bite.