Frequently Asked Questions
For more than 20 years, the H-E-B Excellence in Education program has paid tribute to educators that go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and inspire their community.
As we look towards the 2025 Excellence in Education Awards, we pay tribute to previous winners, and thank them for the work they do in the classroom.
Yes! We encourage you to nominate multiple educators, school districts, school counselors, school boards, and early childhood centers. However, multiple nominations for the same educator/district/school board/early childhood center will not increase their chances of winning. Final award decisions are based on the educator’s submitted application.
Nominations for the 2025 Excellence in Education Awards close on October 7, 2024, and applications close on December 02, 2024 at 11:59 PM CST (Midnight). Letters of support from applicant Principal or Administrator are due by due by 11:59 PM CST (Midnight) on December 4, 2024.
H-E-B awards cash prizes to educators in multiple categories:
- Teacher
- School Counselor
- Principal
- Early Childhood
- School Board
- School District
Teacher and Principal Finalists receive cash prizes for their schools, as well as for themselves personally. Each year 48 teacher finalists are awarded $1,000-$5000 each with matching grants for their schools. The longer you’ve been an educator, the more you could win. Rising Star: 10 years or less, can win $5,000 for themselves and $5,000 for their school; Leadership: 10-20 years experience, can win $10,000 for themselves and $10,000 for their school; Lifetime Achievement: 20 years or more, can win $25,000 for themselves and $25,000 for their school. Eight individual winners are awarded up to $10,000 for themselves and $25,000 for their school. Principals can win $10,000 for themselves and $25,000 for their school.
Ten finalists in both the elementary and secondary School Counselor categories will receive $1,000 for themselves and $1,500 for their school. The winner from each category will receive $10,000 for themselves and $15,000 for the school.
School Districts, School Boards, and Early Childhood Finalists receive cash prizes for their respective districts and centers. Small school districts can receive $50,000 and large school districts can receive $100,000. The winning early childhood facility receives $25,000 and a school board could be awarded up to $25,000.
Teacher, Principal, District and Early Childhood Semi-finalists receive H-E-B gift cards.
State-certified public school educators currently teaching within Texas are eligible, as well as Texas public school principals, school districts and school boards. Any Texas early childhood education center/school is eligible to apply. View specific eligibility criteria for each category here:
Teachers who have been previously selected as statewide winners are not eligible to reapply until they have entered a new award category based on years of experience. Teachers who have been chosen as a statewide finalist must wait at least one year before re-applying.
School District, Early Childhood and School Board winners are not eligible to reapply. If they have been chosen as a statewide finalist they must wait at least one year before re-applying.
Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of judges comprised of educators, administrators and community leaders throughout Texas.
Nominations are not required. Any educator that meets the application criteria may apply without a nomination.
The Excellence in Education Awards ceremony is scheduled for Spring 2025.
Applications can be viewed here by clicking preview at the bottom.
No, the program is statewide in Texas and eligibility is not dependent on proximity to H-E-B store locations.