TASA names six finalists for 2023 Texas Teacher of the Year

Six outstanding educators have been chosen as finalists in the 2023 Texas Teacher of the Year program, which is administered by the Texas Association of School Administrators.

Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Lisa Mackey, Fox Elementary School, Klein ISD
• Shelley Jeoffroy, Otis Brown Elementary, Irving ISD
• Kari Johnston, Perez Elementary School, Austin ISD

Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Chris McLeod, Brazoswood High School, Brazosport ISD
• Andrea Larson, McNeil High School, Round Rock ISD
• Tricia Shay, Borger High School, Borger 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 who have answered the call to serve."

The six state finalists were selected from the 40 Regional Teachers of the Year — one elementary and one secondary teacher from each of the 20 Texas Education Service Center regions.

Region 1

• Elementary – Maria Mascorro-Dominguez, Marcell Elementary School, Mission CISD (TCTA member)
• Secondary – Amy Marquez, PSJA Collegiate High School Program, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (TCTA member)

Region 2

• Elementary – Elizabeth Sanchez, Odem Elementary School, Odem-Edroy ISD
• Secondary – Jesse Marinelarena, Odem High School, Odem-Edroy ISD (TCTA member)

Region 3

• Elementary – Jessica Garza, Smith STEM Academy, Victoria ISD
• Secondary – Valton Acree, Yorktown Secondary High School, Yorktown ISD

Region 4

• Elementary – Lisa Mackey, Fox Elementary School, Klein ISD (finalist)
• Secondary – Chris McLeod, Brazoswood High School, Brazosport ISD (finalist)

Region 5

• Elementary – Sherri Alderman, Fred Elementary School, Warren ISD
• Secondary – Hannah Landry, Bridge City High School, Bridge City ISD

Region 6

• Elementary – Mary Blanco, Bens Branch Elementary School, New Caney ISD
• Secondary – Angela Floyd, Snook Secondary School, Snook ISD

Region 7

• Elementary – Pydi Oliver, Velma Penny Elementary School, Lindale ISD (TCTA member)
• Secondary – Catherine Jackson, Carthage High School, Carthage ISD (TCTA member)

Region 8

• Elementary – Courtney Beck, Redwater Elementary School, Redwater ISD
• Secondary – Tanya Terry, Redwater High School, Redwater ISD

Region 9

• Elementary – Koby Andrews, Woodland Elementary School, Graham ISD
• Secondary – Courtney Dobbs, Graham High School, Graham ISD

Region 10

• Elementary – Shelley Jeoffroy, Otis Brown Elementary School, Irving ISD (finalist)
• Secondary – Lori Harlin, Celina High School, Celina ISD

Region 11

• Elementary – Nora Moreno, Thomas Edison Elementary School, Gainesville ISD
• Secondary – Priscilla Lumbreras, Granbury High School, Granbury ISD

Region 12

• Elementary – Lorenz Villa, La Vega Intermediate School - H.P. Miles Campus, La Vega ISD
• Secondary – Anthony Meurer, West High School, West ISD

Region 13

• Elementary – Kari Johnston, Perez Elementary School, Austin ISD (finalist)
• Secondary – Andrea Larson, McNeil High School, Round Rock ISD (finalist)

Region 14

• Elementary – Teresa Graham, Taylor Elementary School, Abilene ISD
• Secondary – Ryan Cosby, Colorado Middle School, Colorado ISD (TCTA member)

Region 15

• Elementary – Patricia Villarreal, Lamar Elementary, San Felipe Del Rio CISD (TCTA member)
• Secondary – Sarah Willis, San Angelo Central High School, San Angelo Central ISD

Region 16

• Elementary – Tiffany Ryals, Humphrey's Highland Elementary School, Amarillo ISD (TCTA member)
• Secondary – Tricia Shay, Borger High School, Borger ISD (finalist)

Region 17

• Elementary – Jennie Zabriskie, Lubbock-Cooper East Elementary School, Lubbock-Cooper ISD
• Secondary – Brittany Wright, Lubbock-Cooper High School , Lubbock-Cooper ISD (TCTA member)

Region 18

• Elementary – Marle Reynolds, Kermit Elementary School, Kermit ISD (TCTA member)
• Secondary – Amanda Byars, Young Women's Leadership Academy of Midland, Midland ISD

Region 19

• Elementary – Joselyn Zuniga, Lorenzo G. Alarcon Elementary School, San Elizario ISD
• Secondary – Hector Juarez, Canutillo STEAM Academy, Canutillo ISD

Region 20

• Elementary – Roger Lawson, Oak Crest Elementary School, East Central ISD
• Secondary – Terri Garatoni, Robert G. Cole Middle/High School, Fort Sam Houston ISD

The 2023 Elementary Teacher of the Year and the Secondary Teacher of the Year will be announced at a luncheon on Oct. 21, and one will be chosen to represent Texas in the national competition. Click here to read more.