Each year, H-E-B presents its prestigious Excellence in Education Awards to teachers, principals, school districts, early childhood facilities, and school boards throughout Texas. Recipients are selected from nominations submitted by fellow educators and the public.

This year, three ATPE members were the recipients of these awards, which include cash prizes and grants for their school.

Lisa Barry, Alamo Heights ISD, won Lifetime Achievement in Elementary and received a $25,000 cash prize and a $25,000 grant for Woodridge Elementary School. This award goes to a teacher with more than 20 years’ experience.

Ryan Beeler, Spring Branch ISD, won Rising Star Secondary and received a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 grant for Spring Woods High School. This award goes to teachers with less than 10 years’ experience.

“H-E-B has been an amazing partner to Texas educators and students,” Beeler said. “I cannot thank H-E-B enough for their unbelievable support of us. The recognition I received has given me new energy to take into the classroom next year. I plan to share the money I received with the entire science department at my campus.”

Katie Doyle, Flour Bluff ISD, also won a Rising Star award for Elementary and received a $5,000 cash prize and a $5,000 grant for Flour Bluff Intermediate School.

“In the past several years teaching has been an increasingly taxing profession,” Doyle said. “Many times, teachers feel like they are an island being battered by the proverbial waves. The generous support from H-E-B serves to let us know that we are not alone. They recognize the hard work that many teachers feel goes unnoticed.”

All Texas full-time public-school teachers and principals, along with school districts and school boards, are eligible to be nominated for an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. To nominate someone, click this link and complete the form.

A team of judges reviews all of the nominations and selects a group of semi-finalists. Forty teachers and principals are then selected as finalists by a team of five regional judging panels, which include former winners, administrators, and university and community leaders (who are not associated with H-E-B). A statewide panel of judges then conducts personal interviews with each finalist and selects two principals, six teachers, and two school districts as the winners of their respective awards.

For more information, visit the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards page.