Central Texas educators named finalists for 2024 H-E-B Excellence Awards

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Ten Central Texas educators have been named finalists for the 2024 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, spotlighting them as some of the best educators in Texas, according to a press release.

Finalists and their schools received a cash prize of $1,000 to $2,500, depending on the category. All finalists have a chance to win larger cash prizes totaling $480,000 at the statewide competition May 5 in Houston.

H-E-B competition to find the next Texas ‘best’ underway

The honor was kept a surprise from the educators, who this week learned they were finalists when H-E-B representatives visited their schools.

The Central Texas finalists are as follows, in alphabetical order:

• Gloria Cortez, Samuel L. Martin Middle School, Austin ISD (Lifetime Achievement Secondary)

• Michael Grebb, Robert E. Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville ISD (Principal Secondary)

• Denise Johnson, Blackland Prairie Elementary, Round Rock ISD (Lifetime Achievement Elementary)

• Abby Jones, Thorndale Elementary, Thorndale ISD (Counselor Elementary)

• Domonique James Kilgore, Sarah Beth Lively Middle School, Austin ISD (Counselor Secondary)

• Jessica McMullen, R.J. Richey Elementary, Burnet CISD (Principal Elementary)

• Kirsten Nash, Robert E. Hendrickson High School, Pflugerville ISD (Leadership Secondary)

• Ann Nguyen, Round Rock High School, Round Rock ISD (Rising Star Secondary)

• Keke Powell, Sunfield Elementary, Hays CISD (Rising Star Elementary)

• Stephanie Stoebe, Teravista Elementary, Round Rock ISD (Leadership Elementary)

H-E-B asks customers, employees and community members to nominate educators in Texas every year. The nomination process asks nominees about their professional experiences and educational achievements both inside and outside the classroom.

Semifinalists are selected by a panel of judges. From that pool, regional judging panels select 50 teachers, counselors, and principal finalists.

$480K to be awarded at statewide competition

Ten winners consisting of six teachers, two counselors and two principals will be announced at the statewide competition. Two school district winners, one large and one small, will also be announced at the event, the release said.

The six winning teachers include one elementary and one secondary teacher in each of three categories, according to the H-E-B press release:

• 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: honors 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.

The winning small school district will receive $50,000. The winning large school district will receive a $100,000 cash prize.

The statewide competition will be held at the Marriott Marquis in Houston May 5.

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