Victoria ISD honored employees from across the district during the annual VISD Staff Awards held on May 11 at the VC Emerging Technology Center, recognizing outstanding educators, staff members, and retirees for their dedication, leadership, and service to students and the Victoria ISD community.
The evening celebrated employees representing campuses and departments across the district, highlighting the important role staff members play in supporting student success and advancing the district’s mission of Achieving Excellence for All.
During the ceremony, Victoria ISD announced the District 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year.
The 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year was awarded to Jennifer Woods, music teacher at O’Connor Elementary. Woods serves students in grades PK–5 and holds Music EC-12 certification. She has eight years of teaching experience, including three years in her current position at O’Connor Elementary.
The 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year was awarded to Amber Kelly, seventh-grade math teacher at Howell Middle School. Kelly teaches seventh-grade mathematics, including seventh-grade accelerated math courses. She has three years of teaching experience, all of which have been in her current position at Howell Middle School.
The Campus Teacher of the Year recognition honors one outstanding educator from each Victoria ISD campus who demonstrates excellence in instruction, builds strong relationships with students, and goes above and beyond to support student success. These educators exemplify the highest standards of the teaching profession and make a lasting impact within their classrooms and school communities.
In addition to Teacher of the Year honors, staff members were recognized through several award categories, including:
Rising Star Award: Honors a teacher in the early years of their career who shows exceptional promise, dedication, and a strong commitment to student learning. Rising Stars are already making meaningful contributions and represent the future of excellence in education.
Impact Award: Celebrates a staff member who makes a significant difference on their campus through their contributions, leadership, and support of students and colleagues. This award highlights those who positively shape the campus culture and help move the work forward every day.
Victoria ISD also recognized district retirees who are concluding their careers in education after years of dedicated service to students, families, and the district. Collectively, the retirees honored during the ceremony represent a combined 1,492 years of service in Victoria ISD.
The Retiree Recognition honors employees whose contributions have left a lasting legacy across the district and thanks them for the difference they have made throughout their careers.
Campus Teacher of the Year
Tasha Buckert
Melissa Ikonomos
Jennifer Martinez
Annie Zimmerman
Carla Hanes
Cynthia Driscoll
Alfred Gomez
Katy Morris
Jennifer Woods
Ryan Guzman
Andrea Garcia
Kassie Burke
Laura Janis
Kelsey Parks
Debbie Webb
Amanda Tomas
Amber Kelly
Shawn Garza
Robert Fulgham
Jodi Pelowski
Jody Summers
Michelle Flores
Susan Little
Rising Star
Haley Bales
Matthew Hansen
Esther Goldaracena Partida
Brooke Weinheimer
Kenosha Flagg
Elizabeth Gomez
Katelyn Olguin
Erica Pierce
Carla Baker
Gisel Ledezma
Brittany Maples
Cierrah Lujan-Bennett
Jamie Happel
Isaiah Garcia
Salina Brigman
Courtney Brewer
Brooke Coffey
Derrick Hunt
McKenna Sawyer
Emily Woods
San Juanita Garcia
Kristina Adcock
Christopher Clemons
Amanda Davenport
Impact Award
Mardi Hall
Jennifer Pattillo
Yvonne Guerrero
Kathryn Maroney
Ashley Guillory
Janie Benitez
Janie Arrington
Tammy Krieger
Beatriz Garza
Maricruz Zapata
Susan Grant
Angelica Mejia
Melanie Rodriguez
Chelcie Blevins
Shena English
Shea Most
Debbie Pena
Angelica Aguilar
Jade Cuellar
Taylor Parker
Ashleigh Crowder
Rhonda Karnei
Melinda Kocian
Sarah Hammack
Retirees
Gloria Alvarado
Ramona Alvarado
Juanita Arrington
John Bednarczyk
Linda Cantu
Linda R Cantu
Nancy Coons
Genny Cruz
Stephanie Daniel
Mamie Davis
Cynthia Day
David Edge
Karen Familo
Melanie Gadsden
Maricruz Garcia
Yolanda Garza
Velma Girdy
Sherry Goodin
Rachel Gonzalez
Virginia Gwosdz
Nicki Hagel
Lauren Harabis
Vanessa Harrah
Deborah Harrison
Jan Hartman
Denise Henk
Deborah Humphries
Ronald Leos
Lois Lord
Maria Marshall
Patricia Musselman
Tammy Nobles
Patricia Norman
Irene Peralta
Elizabeth Puerto
Ricardo Ramirez
Alberto Sanchez
Anne Schaller
Tammy Sestak
Kristine Simmons
Laurie Smith
Denise Smith
Gwendolyn Spaulding
Melanie Sucher
Lisa Sullivan
Judy Szurek
Viron Reed
James Taylor
Vivian Taylor
Rita Victory
Sandra Walston
Debra Webb
Julianna Wenske
Crystal Williams
LeeAnn Williams
Geraldine Winter