Salute is 麻豆果冻传媒 ISD鈥檚 annual celebration to recognize some of the district鈥檚 outstanding team members for their continued dedication to student excellence and achievement in our schools.
The Salute Awards recognizes campus-based staff members in TEN categories. The winners will be celebrated at our Salute Awards ceremony, where we will also honor Teachers of Promise and Teachers of the Year.
- Transportation Staff of the Year
- Food Service/Warehouse Staff of the Year
- Custodial/Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year
- Teaching Assistant of the Year
- Campus Support Staff of the Year (includes Library Clerks, front office teams, Parent Support Specialists, Assistive Therapists, and Campus Safety staff)
- Campus Professional Staff of the Year (includes School Psychologists, OTs, PTs, Instructional Coaches, Diagnosticians, licensed mental health professionals, mental health specialists, Speech Pathologists and Nurses
- Library Staff of the Year (Includes Librarians & Associates of Library Services)
- Counseling Staff of the Year (includes our counselors and wellness counselors)
- Administration Staff of the Year (Includes Assistant Principals, Academy Directors & Academic Deans)
- Principal of the Year
2026 Salute Honorees
Staff, students, and families were invited to submit open nominations across ten categories from November through January. We received over 1500 submissions! Three finalists were then chosen for each category by a committee of district stakeholders who scored in alignment to our 麻豆果冻传媒 ISD mission, vision and values. Winners were announced at our annual Salute Awards Ceremony on May 6! Congratulations to all of our honorees!
Custodial and Facilities Maintenance Staff of the Year
Winner: Ivan Tovar, Head Custodian, Eastside ECHS
Virginia Molina, Head Custodian, Ann Richards SYWL
Carlos Valle, Custodian, Blazier Primary/Blazier Intermediate
Food Service and Warehouse Staff of the Year
Winner: Carrie Crouch, Food Service Manager Lead, Kealing MS/Garza Independence HS
Bernadette Diaz, Food Service Manager, Winn Montessori
Ofelia Diaz, Food Service Specialist Lead, Anderson HS
Transportation Staff of the Year
Winner: Jacqui Willis, Coordinator Transportation Planning & Scheduling
Kimberly Hurtado, Bus Monitor
Kevin Monzon, Bus Monitor
Teaching Assistant of the Year
Winner: Dariuska Li-Gonzalez, Pleasant Hill ES
Jennifer Staller, Brentwood ES
Maria Esquivel, Gus Garcia YMLA
Campus Professional Staff of the Year
Winner: Jami Kirkland, Instructional Coach, Burnet MS
Corine Robbins, Instructional Coach, Dobie MS
Melissa Alvarez, Occupational Therapist Bilingual
Campus Support Staff of the Year
Winner: Lynn Tellechea, Administrative Assistant, Highland Park ES
Nery Gouldner, Administrative Assistant, Bear Creek ES
Carmen Alvarado, Administrative Assistant, Rosedale
Library Staff of the Year
Winner: Courtney Ewing, Librarian, Casis Elementary
Tara Lane Bowman, Librarian, Lamar MS
Katy Price, Librarian, Blanton Elementary
Counseling Staff of the Year
Winner: Kelli Kirk, Counselor, Maplewood Elementary
Kristel Sans, Counselor, St. Elmo Elementary
Adriane Kimmel, Counselor, Garza Independence HS
Administration Staff of the Year
Winner: Kevin Owens, Assistant Principal, Navarro ECHS
Kristin Troegle, Assistant Principal, Graham Elementary
Martha Sanchez, Assistant Principal, Wooten Elementary
Principal of the Year
Winner: Shana King, Principal, Crockett ECHS
Brian Lancaster, Principal, Anderson HS
Leyla Olano, Principal, Reilly ES
Diana Vallejo, Principal, Govalle ES
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Winner: Mariann Burns, Ortega ES
Ashley Marie Phan, Wid茅n ES
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Winner: Joelle Don de'Ville, Gorzycki MS
Ashley Muir, Crockett ECHS