SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Today, H-E-B announced five early childhood facilities, five public school boards, and eight school districts throughout Texas as finalists in the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program, which awards cash prizes to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities.
This year, H-E-B will award $90,000 to the 18 finalists ($5,000 each). All finalists will go on to compete for even greater prizes at the statewide level in May. To determine the winners, a panel of judges will tour each finalist’s campus to engage with administration, staff, parents and community members.
The winners will be announced at the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards ceremony on Sunday, May 3, along with six teachers, two counselors, and two principals. One 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.
Additionally, the 50 Texas teacher, counselor, and principal finalists will be announced between January and March during a series of surprise visits to schools and classrooms across the state.
The 2026 early childhood facility, school board, and school district finalists are:
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
- Corpus Christi ISD
- Garland ISD
- Lake Dallas ISD
- Mesquite ISD
LARGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
- Dickinson ISD
- Garland ISD
- Pearland ISD
- Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD
SMALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- Alice ISD
- Angleton ISD
- Midway ISD
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 outstanding work. Nominations will close on September 30, 2026.
Nominate your favorite Texas educator at heblovesteachers.com/nominate.
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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.
To learn more, visit HEBLovesTeachers.com.