Educators to Compete on a Statewide Level for $500,000 in cash prizes
Eight San Antonio educators have been named finalists for a 2013 H-E-B Excellence in Education Award, spotlighting them as some of the best educators in Texas. The eight San Antonio educators were among 40 finalists from all over Texas.
H-E-B’s Excellence in Education is the largest monetary awards program for educators in Texas, and among the largest in the nation. The honor was kept a surprise from the educators, who learned they were finalists when H-E-B representatives visited their classrooms and schools in March with balloons, cake, and flowers.
Six teachers were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. The San Antonio teacher finalists are:
- Kimberly Reznicek, Timberwilde Elementary, Northside ISD (Rising Star Elementary)
- Kristen Guerra, Frank Tejeda Middle School, North East ISD (Rising Star Secondary)
- Charlotte Dolat, Woodridge Elementary, Alamo Heights ISD (Leadership Elementary)
- Steve Davidson, Douglas MacArthur High School, North East ISD (Leadership Secondary)
- Debbie Dixon, Woodridge Elementary, Alamo Heights ISD (Lifetime Achievement Elementary)
- Terry Zablocki, Warren High School, Northside ISD (Lifetime Achievement Secondary)
All finalists are invited to Austin on May 1-3, 2013 to compete on a statewide level for larger cash prizes totaling $585,000. A panel of judges will interview each teacher and principal finalist.
H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas by spotlighting best practices and celebrating the passion and creativity of Texas educators.
Since its inception, H-E-B has given nearly $6 million, making it the state’s largest monetary award program dedicated to education. In addition to recognizing great teaching and leadership, H-E-B selects 12 campuses to receive a $15,000 Healthy Campus Grant for programs promoting health and wellness. An Early Childhood Award supports public or private schools that prepare children under 5 to enter kindergarten socially and academically ready to learn.
Every year, H-E-B asks customers, Partners (employees) and community members to submit the names of their favorite educators, administrators, districts, campuses and early childhood education providers for a slate of different awards and grants. Each nominee is sent an invitation to complete an application online.