Nominations for 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are now open
SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Today, H-E-B announced that 10 Houston educators are finalists for the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, which awards cash prizes to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities. Teachers, counselors and principals received the news from H-E-B representatives during surprise visits to the schools.
H-E-B awarded $24,000 to the 10 Houston finalists. Teachers were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,000 check for their school; counselors were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,500 check for their school; and principals received a $1,000 check for themselves and a $2,500 check for their school.
“At H-E-B, we are proud to recognize the educators who uplift their communities, ignite a passion for learning and show the difference one dedicated individual can make in the lives of students across the state,” Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs, said. “These finalists reflect the spirit, strength and resiliency that define Texas.”
The Houston finalists are as follows:
- Latoya Davis, Stafford Early Childhood Center, Stafford MSD, Rising Star Elementary
- Heather Rodriguez, North Shore Senior High School, Galena Park ISD, Rising Star Secondary
- Dustin Perez, Robert L. Crippen Elementary School, New Caney ISD, Leadership Elementary
- Richard Embrick, Wright Junior High School, Lamar CISD, Leadership Secondary
- Tammy Wise Sanchez, Sneed Elementary School, Alief ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
- James Sheridan, YES Prep East End Secondary School, YES Prep Public Schools Inc., Lifetime Achievement Secondary
- Wendy Reyes, Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary, Clear Creek ISD, School Counselor Elementary
- Emily Wilcox, Sartartia Middle School, Fort Bend ISD, School Counselor Secondary
- Dr. Lisa Hamblen, James B. Havard Elementary School, Galena Park ISD, Principal Elementary
- Ruth Pena, Charles H. Milby High School, Houston ISD, Principal Secondary
Thousands of state-certified public school educators currently working in Texas were nominated across multiple categories:
- Teacher
- School Counselor
- Principal
- Early Childhood Facility
- School Board
- School District
The complete list of statewide finalists will be announced this month. The winners for the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Houston on Sunday, May 3, 2026, where $480,000 will be awarded.
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.