Two TCTA members are among the six 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year finalists.

The Elementary Teacher of Year finalists are:

• Kevin Criss, Cambridge Elementary School, Alamo Heights ISD, Region 20, a TCTA member since 2022
• JoMeka Gray, Kennedy-Powell Elementary School, Temple ISD, Region 12, a TCTA member since 2012
• Kristi Leff,Humphrey's Highland Elementary School, Region 16, Amarillo ISD

The Secondary Teacher of the Year finalists are:

• Christine Mihealsick, Westwood High School, Region 13, Round Rock ISD
• Darla Morrow, James R. Brooks Middle School, Region 18, Greenwood ISD
• Melissa Farias Zúñiga, New Braunfels High School, Region 20, New Braunfels ISD

"Texas teachers perform miracles every day as they inspire children even in the most challenging of times," said Kevin Brown, executive director of TASA, which has coordinated the Texas Teacher of the Year program since 2011. "Public school teachers are critical to the success of individual children and our society as a whole. Those who choose to teach are national heroes, and these six finalists are the best among them. They have distinguished themselves among thousands of outstanding, dedicated teachers across our nation have who have answered the call to serve."

In August, a panel of judges composed of representatives of Texas teacher associations and last year's Texas Teacher of the Year finalists selected this year's finalists from the 40 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year - one elementary and one secondary teacher from each of the 20 Texas Education Service Center regions. The 2025 Texas Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year will be announced at a banquet on Oct. 25 after the six finalists are interviewed by another panel of judges on Oct. 24.

For more on this year's finalists, click here.

In addition to the two finalists, seven other TCTA members are among the 40 2025 Texas Regional Teachers of the year as noted below:

Region 1

• Elementary - Brianne Castillo, Sullivan Environmental Science Academy, San Benito CISD, a TCTA member since 2016
• Secondary - Erick Morin, Instruction and Guidance Center, McAllen ISD, a TCTA member since 2014

Region 2

• Elementary - Rosalinda Garcia, Banquete Elementary School, Banquete ISD
• Secondary - Jane Lee-Rhodes, Kaffie Middle School, Corpus Christi ISD

Region 3

• Elementary - Evelyn Gonzales, Austwell-Tivoli Elementary, Austwell-Tivoli ISD
• Secondary - Kaitlin Staloch, Hope High School, Calhoun County ISD

Region 4

• Elementary - Taylor Brock, Sheldon Lake Elementary School, Sheldon ISD
• Secondary - Jessica Brink, Sweeny High School, Sweeny ISD, a TCTA member since 2022

Region 5

• Elementary - Lois Shoemake, Deweyville Elementary School, Deweyville ISD
• Secondary - Lindsey Fruge, Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD

Region 6

• Elementary - Tami Glenn, Anson Jones Elementary School, Bryan ISD
• Secondary - Stephen Green, Caney Creek High School, Conroe ISD

Region 7

• Elementary - Diana Smith, Edgewood Intermediate School, Edgewood ISD, a TCTA member since 2013
• Secondary - Cheli Vasquez, Nichols Intermediate School, Jacksonville ISD

Region 8

• Elementary - Leesha Hartley, North Hopkins Elementary School, North Hopkins ISD
• Secondary - Mark Ahrens, Texas High School, Texarkana

Region 9

• Elementary - Andrea Hollis, Midway Elementary, Midway ISD
• Secondary - Robyn Little, Burkburnett High School, Burkburnett ISD

Region 10

• Elementary - Lauren Stewart, Frank D. Moates Elementary School, DeSoto ISD
• Secondary - Amanda Ashmead, The School of Science and Engineering Magnet, Dallas ISD

Region 11

• Elementary - Brandy Kaminski, AV Cato Elementary School, Castleberry ISD
• Secondary - Elisha Woodson, Aledo High School, Aledo ISD

Region 12

• Elementary - JoMeka Gray, Kennedy-Powell Elementary School, Temple ISD (finalist), a TCTA member since 2012
• Secondary - Arlene Sefcik, Academy High School, Academy ISD

Region 13

• Elementary - Elizabeth Eagan, Special Programs & Services, Bastrop ISD
• Secondary - Christine Mihealsick, Westwood High School, Round Rock ISD (finalist)

Region 14

• Elementary - Megan Jimenez, Merkel Elementary School, Merkel ISD, a TCTA member since 2019
• Secondary - Jennifer Jordan, Abilene High School, Abilene ISD

Region 15

• Elementary - Cindy Johnson, Ceniza Hills Elementary School, San Felipe Del Rio CISD
• Secondary - Deb Pritchard, Winters High School, Winters ISD, a TCTA member since 2006

Region 16

• Elementary - Kristi Leff, Humphrey's Highland Elementary School, Amarillo ISD (finalist)
• Secondary - Christian Hernandez-Ocasio, Highland Park High School, Highland Park ISD

Region 17

• Elementary - Morgan Combs, South Elementary School, Levelland ISD, a TCTA member since 2013
• Secondary - Sarah Denning, Alcove Trails Middle School, Frenship ISD

Region 18

• Elementary - Angie Dehlinger, Greenwood Elementary School, Greenwood ISD
• Secondary - Darla Morrow, James R. Brooks Middle School, Greenwood ISD (finalist)

Region 19

• Elementary - Dora Esquivel, Duran Elementary School, El Paso ISD
• Secondary - Christopher Martin, Col. John O Ensor Middle School, Socorro ISD

Region 20

• Elementary - Kevin Criss, Cambridge Elementary School, Alamo Heights ISD (finalist), a TCTA member since 2022
• Secondary - Melissa Farias Zúñiga, New Braunfels High School, New Braunfels ISD (finalist)

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