Winner Spotlight
One of the best parts of the Excellence in Education Awards is hearing the inspirational stories behind the winners. Here’s a look at some of our past winners as they work their magic in the classroom, and after their win at the Awards ceremony.
Northside ISD
2023 School BoardSan Antonio, Texas
Northside Independent School District (NISD) is a shining example of successful and effective educational leadership. With an average tenure of 14 years, the NISD Board and Superintendent, Dr. Brian Woods, have worked tirelessly to ensure the success of over 102,000 students and 13,000 employees. Under Woods’ guidance, NISD has added 13 new schools and five specialized magnet programs.
To be able to represent our school district, as a board, it just validates all of the hard work that we do together with the staff."
The district also passed three school bonds under Woods’ leadership, securing over $2.4 billion for improvements in aging facilities and to better accommodate growing enrollment. With their student-focused approach and commitment to continuous improvement, the NISD Board and Superintendent serve as a model for educational leadership.
Corsicana ISD
2023 Small School DistrictCorsicana, Texas
Corsicana ISD (CISD) is committed to providing the best education and opportunities to all students. Their vision to empower students to become productive and responsible citizens in a changing society is achieved through the TCC mindset—“Taking Care of Corsicana.” From the Board to the community, CISD values collaboration and continuous improvement processes at all levels.
Education is critical to the success of our state."
The district’s commitment to providing unique, personalized experiences is evident in the number of new teachers who are CISD graduates and return to give back to the community. Under the active leadership of superintendent Dr. Diane Frost, CISD sets a high standard in cultivating a positive environment for all students to excel.
Corpus Christi ISD
2023 Large School DistrictCorpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD) aims to be a world-class school system that focuses on developing the hearts and minds of all students to prepare them as lifelong learners and productive citizens. The district’s curriculum emphasizes active learning through creative thinking, collaboration, self-direction and inquiry.
We are doing great things in CCISD and we have a lot to be proud of."
With a strong leadership culture that fosters two-way communication and shared responsibility for a shared purpose, CCISD is committed to the success of its diverse student population. The district takes a proactive approach to ensure that students are well-equipped for a rapidly changing and complex global society.
Canutillo ISD
2022 Small DistrictEl Paso, Texas
Dr. Pedro Galaviz, Superintendent
Canutillo ISD’s focus on equity and excellence strives to position all students on an even playing field, providing equal chances for success. District leadership is guided by three words – shaping, service, and safeguarding – with the belief that it is the role of every member of the learning community to shape the organization, inside and out, so it continues to grow and be responsive to the current and future needs of students and the community.
Removing barriers that impede on our students’ education is our passion and responsibility.”
The district community defines success as learning that is meaningful in students’ lives beyond the walls of the classroom, so students are prepared to be book smart, street smart and career smart. Written curriculum is developed with the mindset that college readiness begins in kindergarten and support is differentiated and customized to ensure the unique needs of each learner are continually addressed to quickly close academic gaps.
McAllen ISD
2022 Large DistrictMcAllen, Texas
Dr. J.A. Gonzalez, Superintendent
In McAllen ISD, students’ success is defined as the ability for students to gain new knowledge that will, in-turn, help them become happy productive citizens. The district’s input-output model creates a student-centered environment by focusing on input – including student engagement, educator skill and high-level content – to make systems and processes highly effective.
As entrepreneurs of the human spirit, we are in the dream business. We are putting students in a position to accomplish their dreams, no matter what they may be.”
The district strives to add academic value to every student – not just filling in the gaps, but enabling students to reach as high a level as possible. The district was the first in the Rio Grande Valley area to offer an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, which has one of the highest success rates in the world with 93 percent of students in the program earning an IB diploma. High school students personalize their learning experience through dual enrollment academies in medical science, engineering, business administration, teaching, pharmacy, and criminal justice, and can earn professional licenses and certifications in 13 CTE programs.
Allen ISD
2022 School BoardAllen, Texas
Amy Gnadt, President
The Allen ISD Board is compassionately committed to every learner’s current and future success. This moral imperative, developed collaboratively during Texas Association of School Board’s (TASB) XG training, is a reflection of the critical role the board plays in accountability.
Children learn best when they feel safe and stable.”
The seven-member Board believes that community engagement is critical to the establishment and review of the district’s mission, vision and strategy. Community members are offered multiple opportunities to learn about the value proposition offered by the district, including Board Academy presentations for the general public to learn about board operations and how to become a board candidate. The Silver Eagles initiative works to increase outreach with empty nesters and community members aging in place, providing education on how their taxes benefit the overall quality of life in Allen.
Students have books in their hands and are taught how to walk through them to find meaning."
Lone Star Early Childhood Center
2022 Early ChildhoodNew Braunfels, Texas
Heather Salas, Principal
Lone Star Early Childhood Center provides Pre-K students in New Braunfels ISD with engaging and purposeful learning through play. The child-centered curriculum integrates all Texas Pre-K guidelines in both English and Spanish in meaningful ways that engage and challenge the whole child while catering to individual development needs. Lessons are incorporated into daily classroom routines that allow exploration through play-based learning activities which are adapted for auditory, tactile, visual and kinesthetic learning styles. Students develop language learning skills in both English and Spanish through Zoo Phonics and Estrellita programs, which use visuals for each letter of the alphabet by mapping letter sounds to familiar pictures.
A gardening program, developed in partnership with the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service and the Comal Master Gardeners, provides students and teachers with plants, materials and instructional support from a Master Gardener in order to enhance food security and encourage healthy habits. Students deposit food waste in a compost and worm farm, tend to the garden and enjoy the harvest. Other weekly enrichment opportunities include a gym and motor lab, bilingual library and hands-on discovery lab, music lab, STEAM lab and technology lab.
All students participate in social emotional concepts using Social Thinking’s “We Thinkers!” curriculum, which helps them to better understand themselves and others, develop self-awareness, perspective taking, and social problem solving skills. Conscious discipline techniques, including I Love You Rituals help students connect to their school families while improving their overall wellbeing.
