About
The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are designed 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 each and 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 more than $14 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, principals, public schools and districts, school counselors, school boards and early childhood centers.
H-E-B has Awarded
$14 Million
In 2024, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program distributed over $780,000 in cash and grants to educators and schools.
Award Categories
Teachers
This honor is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
Principals
This honor is designed to recognize principals and is based on the following criteria:
- Leadership and Campus Culture
- Instructional Leadership and Management
- Communication and Community Relations
School Counselors
This honor is designed to recognize school counselors and is based on the following criteria:
- Provides a safe, supportive and caring environment for all students, using the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling programs.
- Coordinates counseling services to assist students with problems and concern.
- Exhibits professionalism and school counseling leadership that positively impacts student outcomes
School Districts
This honor is designed to recognize school districts and is based on the following criteria:
- Commitment to student achievement through innovative programs
- Parent/Community involvement
- Professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators
School Boards
This honor is designed to recognize school boards that have demonstrated real leadership in the community that it serves based on three basic criteria:
- Academic/student progress within the district
- Identification of community needs and specific actions taken based on those needs
- New and creative methods for community engagement
Early Childhood Centers
The Early Childhood Award is designed to support public or private schools that focus on the care and education of children under the age of five. The purpose of the award is to offer support to help create or enhance Kinder Readiness programs that prepare children to enter Kindergarten socially and academically ready to learn.
TEACHER CATEGORY
This award is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
Principal CATEGORY
This honor is designed to recognize principals and is based on the following criteria:
- Leadership and Campus Culture
- Instructional Leadership and Management
- Communication and Community Relations
School Counselor
This award is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
TEACHER CATEGORY
This award is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
TEACHER CATEGORY
This award is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
TEACHER CATEGORY
This award is designed to recognize teachers and is based on the following criteria:
- Passion and commitment to the teaching profession
- Innovation and creativity in the classroom
- Professional growth and development
Awarding
Did you know that when you nominate an educator, you’re supporting their school as well?
The H-E-B Excellence in Education program awards cash grants to finalists, winners, and their schools. A nomination starts a journey that can lead to impactful benefits for the schools and districts in your community.
Nominations for the 2024 Excellence in Education Awards are now closed. Educators are encouraged to apply directly through December 4, 2023, and there are multiple award categories, including:
- Teacher
- Principal
- School Counselor
- School District
- School Board
- Early Childhood Center
Have questions about the Excellence in Education Awards?
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions section, with information on deadlines, eligibility, and more.