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

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

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

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