Tami Bhadai kindles children’s interest in science
Tami Bhadai wanted to work in a museum. In college at UT-Pan American, now UT-Rio Grande Valley, studying anthropology and biology, she felt drawn to teaching and found her purpose — teaching young students to love science as much as she does.
After 22 years in the classroom at Cesar Chavez Elementary in Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD, she’s switching campuses this fall to teach in the Science Lab at Dr. William Long Elementary in PSJA. The transition comes after she was named a state finalist in the Lifetime Achievement category for elementary school teachers in the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, recognition that initially left her speechless.
“I worked for H-E-B throughout college, so it was huge honor to be nominated and rewarded in this way,” she said.
The accolades didn’t start or stop there. Bhadai was named the 2025 Campus Teacher of the Year at Chavez Elementary and went on to be honored as the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. She also spent part of this summer at the Teacher Innovator Institute at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., a distinguished national program that brings together top educators from across the country.
She joined a cohort of 30 teachers to learn from leading experts in aerospace science, history and technology. Through immersive, hands-on learning and behind-the-scenes museum access, participants explore how to integrate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) education into the classroom.
“I am deeply honored to represent our district,” Bhadai said. “This opportunity reflects the dedication of our entire community, and I am excited to bring back what I learn to benefit our PSJA students.”
Planning to implement more STEAM programming for fourth and fifth graders in PSJA through the multiyear professional development she’ll gain from the Smithsonian’s teacher institute, Bhadai already extends learning beyond the classroom and is known for creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and critical thinking.
She created the Growing Gardeners Club at Chavez, which was selected as the National Junior Master Gardener Group of the Month in February 2026, and also started a FFA Junior group, which she said may be the only one in the Rio Grande Valley for elementary-aged students.
“I hope this experience helps me get grants to expand opportunities for my students,” she said, adding that many of the children she’s engaged in the clubs over the years have gone on to careers in science and related fields. “One student with autism realized he was a great presenter, impressing several teachers from other states during a webinar.”
Another learned responsibility through caring for animals.
Bhadai approaches each year with the mentality that she will learn and grow alongside her students, and she encourages other educators to do the same, especially those who are new to the classroom. “I know some teachers go into this career and realize, ‘this is not what I thought it was,’ and they leave the profession because of all the red tape involved with documentation, paperwork, grades … it can be overwhelming,” she said. “But it is something that you get better at, you get faster at. You just need to learn a system that will help structure your day.”
It’s a hard profession, she added, but the rewards are worth it.
“When you see the results and the students’ success as they grow, there’s nothing in the world like it,” she said. “Without teachers, we wouldn’t have all the other careers.”
Meet Tami Bhadai
“It’s not something I ever expected. I know what I do is good, but I know there are other educators out there working every day to be the best and do whatever they can for the kids. But they picked me and I thought, ‘Wow!’”
2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Lifetime Achievement Elementary state finalist
Current job: Fourth and fifth grade science, Dr. William Long Elementary, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD in Region 1
TCTA member since 2025
Education: Bachelor of Science in Anthropology and Master’s degree in social sciences, University of Texas-Pan American (now UT-Rio Grande Valley)
Certifications held: Bilingual Generalist-Spanish (EC-4), Generalist (EC-4), Master teacher TIA designation
You could be the next H-E-B Excellence in Education winner: The H-E-B Excellence in Education program awards cash grants to finalists, winners and their schools. It honors teachers, counselors, principals, school boards, school districts and early childhood facilities. Nominations for the 2027 Excellence in Education Awards close on Sept. 30, 2026. Go to heblovesteachers.com/nominate to learn more or to submit a nomination.
This article appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of The Classroom Teacher.
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