Awards & Recognitions
First General Session | Monday, January 27, 2024 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Nicole Poenitzsch
Superintendent, Bellville ISD
2024 Texas Superintendent of the Year &
Texas Nominee for 2025 National Superintendent of the Year
Doug Williams
Retired Sunnyvale ISD Superintendent and TASA Past President
2024 Golden Deeds for Education Award
Honorary Life Members
School Leaders Selected for TASA Honorary Life Membership in 2024-25
David Lee
Sunset High School, Dallas ISD
2025 Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Recipient
Valerie Little
Executive Director of Student Engagement, Prosper ISD
2025 Johnny L. Veselka Scholarship Recipient
Austin, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw, Forney, Round Rock, San Antonio, Texas City ISDs
The Caudill Award is the highest honor in the annual Exhibit of School Architecture competition.
Second General Session | Tuesday, January 28, 2024 | 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Christine Mihealsick
Westwood High School, Round Rock ISD
2025 Texas Teacher of the Year
Kristi Leff
Humphrey’s Highland Elementary School, Amarillo ISD
2025 Texas Elementary
Teacher of the Year
Amanda Smith
Director of Advanced Academics, Alvin ISD
TAGT 2024 State Administrator of the Gifted
Dr. Jenny McGown
Klein ISD
2023-24 Texas Education Technology Leaders (formerly Texas K-12 CTO Council) Empowered Superintendent
Michael Joannou
Van Raub Elementary, Boerne ISD
NAESP (in partnership with TEPSA) 2024 National Assistant Principal of the Year for Texas
Wendy Prater
Fort Elementary, Royse City ISD
NAESP (in partnership with TEPSA) 2024 National Distinguished Principal of the Year for Texas
Dr. Matthew Hawkins
Seminole Jr. High School, Seminole ISD
TASSP 2024-25 Outstanding Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year
Miguel Salazar
Sundown Middle School, Sundown ISD
TASSP 2024-25 Outstanding Middle School Principal of the Year
Sarah Castillo
Galena Park High School, Galena Park ISD
TASSP 2024-25 Outstanding High School Assistant Principal of the Year
Dr. Winston McCowan, Jr.
Chisholm Trail High School, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD
TASSP 2024-25 Outstanding High School Principal of the Year
Natalie Gray
Northside ISD Professional Learning
2025 Outstanding Professional Learning Award – Learning Forward Texas
Mina Schnitta
Fort Sam Houston ISD District Instructional Coaching Team
2025 Outstanding Professional Learning Award – Learning Forward Texas