Lubbock-area school district, teacher receive H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards
H-E-B has announced the statewide winners for the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards - including a teacher and school district from the Lubbock area - during a ceremony Sunday night in downtown Austin with hundreds of educators and community leaders.
Lubbock-Cooper ISD was honored as a top school district while Abernathy teacher Aaron Peralez received a rising star award during the ceremony.
Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired four-star admiral and former Chancellor of the University of the Texas System, gave the keynote address and helped distribute awards to the 68 outstanding finalists.
During the ceremony, $480,000 in cash and grants were awarded to six teachers, two counselors, two principals, one early childhood facility, one public school board and two school districts. Since 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program has awarded more than $14 million in funding to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities.
'At a time when public school educators face many challenges, it's critically important that we honor the extraordinary individuals who are inspiring the next generation of Texans. Their work not only changes lives—it defines the future of our state,' said Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. 'We heard remarkable stories of dedication, resilience and impact during the awards selection process. While it's difficult to pick one winner in each category, all our finalists represent the very best of what it means to be an educator in Texas.'
Six winning teachers, including one elementary and one secondary teacher, were selected in each of the following three categories: The Rising Star Award honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. These winners received a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.
Cindy Gonzalez, J.P. LeNoir Elementary School, Donna ISD, Elementary Rising Star
Aaron Peralez, Abernathy High School, Abernathy ISD, Secondary Rising Star
The Leadership Award honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. These winners received a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their schools.
Matthew Trevino, Roan Forest Elementary School, North East ISD, Elementary Leadership
Dr. Alicia Adkins, I.H. Kempner High School, Fort Bend ISD, Secondary Leadership
The Lifetime Achievement Award salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers received $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.
Abigail Eliezer, Klentzman Intermediate School, Alief ISD, Elementary Lifetime Achievement
Vicki Rowe, Taylor High School, Taylor ISD, Secondary Lifetime Achievement
COUNSELORS
Two counselors—one elementary and one secondary—received $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $15,000 grant for their school.
Verlene Wallace, Hunt School, Hunt ISD, Elementary School Counselor
Rubina Sanchez, Byron P. Steele II High School, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD Secondary School Counselor
PRINCIPALS
Two principals—one elementary and one secondary—received $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.
Dr. Anabel Ruiz, Carolyn G. Bukhair Elementary School, Richardson ISD, Elementary School Principal
Sheree Bogany, A.C. Jones High School, Beeville ISD, Secondary School Principal
EARLY CHILDHOOD FACILITY
One winning early childhood facility received $25,000.
Dr. Sarah K. Jandrucko Academy for Early Learners (Mansfield ISD, Arlington)
SCHOOL BOARD
One winning school board received $25,000.
Lamar Consolidated Independent School District
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Two school districts–one small and one large–received awards. The winning small school district received $50,000, and the winning large school district received $100,000.
Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District, Small School District
Prosper Independent School District, Large School District
Judging Process
Each year, H-E-B announces a statewide call for nominations and applications to recognize outstanding educators in Texas. Educators can be nominated for an award by community members throughout the state, or they can apply directly. Nominees are sent invitations to complete an online application.
For the 2025 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, students in the Department of Education from Texas State University and Trinity University reviewed all applications and narrowed them down to semi-finalists. Five regional judging panels including school administrators, community leaders and former winners selected 50 teacher, principal and counselor finalists. These individuals received the news they were finalists from H-E-B representatives during surprise visits to their schools earlier this year. A statewide panel of judges interviewed these finalists on May 3 to determine winners.
Three separate judging panels selected five early childhood facilities, five school boards, and eight school district finalists. Site visits were conducted to determine the winners in these categories.
Nominations for the 2026 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, 2025.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock-Cooper ISD, area teacher H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards
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