Nominations for 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are now open
SAN ANTONIO, Texas—Today, H-E-B announced that 10 South Texas 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 South Texas 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 South Texas finalists are as follows:
- Carolina De Anda, Carmen Anaya Elementary School, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Rising Star Elementary
- Deanna Evans, Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi ISD, Rising Star Secondary
- Anahi Espinoza, Dr. R. E. Margo Elementary, Weslaco ISD, Leadership Elementary
- Claudia Cortez, Gladys Porter Early College High School, Brownsville ISD, Leadership Secondary
- Tami Bhadai, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
- Valton Acree, Yorktown Secondary Campus, Yorktown ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary
- Angelica Ramos, Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary, McAllen ISD, Counselor Elementary
- Flor Villarreal, Judge Mario E. Ramirez, Jr. Juvenile Justice Center, Edinburg CISD, Counselor Secondary
- Michelle Gonzalez, Macdonell Elementary School, Laredo ISD, Principal Elementary
- Dr. Tina Garza, Harlingen School of Health Professions, Harlingen 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 in the spring. 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.