Aldine ISD celebrated its top teachers and principals at the annual Educator of the Year Breakfast on Friday, March 28, at the Aldine ISD Community Center, bringing together Board of Trustees, district and campus administrators, teachers, and business partners to honor Aldine’s outstanding educators.
Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year
Lara Andree of Carmichael Elementary School was named the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Marcus Muñoz of MacArthur High School was named the district’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Andree, who overcame personal struggles, shared how her teachers inspired her to push herself and, in turn, push her students to do the same, fostering a deep connection with her students.
“My mom and I experienced homelessness while I was a junior and senior in high school, my school teachers saved my life and went above and beyond in creating space for me in the classroom, and at the same time had expectations that were abundantly high,” Andree said. “I’m very proud of the growth mindset we are instilling in our kids. Throughout our lessons, they constantly say things like ‘this is tough, this is hard, I can’t do this,’ and their classmates will say ‘well, Ms. Andree always says math is tough, but so are you.’”
Muñoz said he struggled in school growing up, but his teachers still stuck by him and mentored him, and he understands how that can make a difference in a child’s life.
“It’s the little things that matter to the students, but really, don’t just tell them; you have to show them. It’s not just inside the classroom, I worry about them, I worry about them outside,” Muñoz said. “Once you get them to buy in that they actually have a future, their choices outside of class change. One person can change a child’s outcome. When my students leave my classroom every day, I want to make sure they know I did not waste their time. I want them to realize that they had all the support they needed.”
Four Finalists for Teachers of the Year
Julian Quiero of Oleson Elementary School, Adriana Patino of Spence Elementary School, Candace Langenbuch of Avalos P-TECH School, and Dr. Janice Blades Miller of Blanson CTE High School were the four Teacher of the Year finalists.
Rookie Teachers of the Year
The district also announced its Rookie Teachers of the Year for the sixth consecutive year. Michelle Luna of Vardeman Primary School is the Rookie Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Uche Mgbodile of Davis High School is the Rookie Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Luna said a struggle she felt was the pressure to have all her students at the same academic level, but she realized that the growth of each student can be more important.
“I would tell future rookie teachers to know that although students may be at different academic levels, they should focus on individual growth,” Luna said. “As teachers, we may not be able to do everything we want to do with our students, but we can assist them as they navigate their education journey.”
Mgbodile said rookie teachers find themselves with their own struggles, but offered insight into what has helped her.
“For future rookie teachers,” Mgbodile said, “my advice is not to be afraid to ask for help from veteran teachers, plan lessons that are interactive and tailored to students’ interests, and remember that being good to students will earn their respect without the need to give them everything they want.”
Michelle Luna
Vardeman EC/PK/K School
Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year
Julián Quiero
Oleson Elementary School
Teacher of the Year Finalist
Adriana Patiño
Spence Elementary School
Teacher of the Year Finalist
Laura Andree
Carmichael Elementary School
Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Uche Mgbodile
Davis High School
Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year
Candace Langenbuch
Avalos P-TECH School
Teacher of the Year Finalist
Dr. Janice Blades Miller
Blanson CTE High School
Teacher of the Year Finalist
Marcus Muñoz
MacArthur High School
Secondary Teacher of the Year
Aldine Education Foundation and Sponsors
The two overall winners, the four finalists, all Campus Teachers of the Year, the Rookie Teachers of the Year, and the Principals of the Year, received monetary awards from the Aldine Education Foundation (AEF). Andree and Muñoz each received two United Airlines tickets for any destination in the continental United States, a Jostens ring certificate, and a year’s supply of Whataburger. The four finalists also received a year’s supply of Whataburger. All campus Teachers of the Year received a polo shirt, Scott and Jackson each received two United Airlines tickets for any destination in the continental United States, and a Jostens ring certificate. Luna, Mgbodile, and Siboldi also received a Jostens ring certificate.
AEF Director Linda Flores Olson thanked the sponsors who underwrote and provided gifts for the breakfast. United Airlines served as Platinum Sponsor, while PBK and Stantec served as Gold Sponsors. Silver Sponsors were Aldine AFT, Amplify, Imagine Learning, and McDonald’s. Campus sponsors were MWA Architects and Hanz Diner.
Dr. Pablo Siboldi
Worsham Elementary School
Rookie Principal of the Year
Kathleen Scott
Bussey Elementary School
Elementary Principal of the Year
Dr. Jericah Jackson
Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Secondary Principal of the Year
Principals of the Year
Kathleen Scott of Bussey Elementary School was named the Elementary Principal of the Year, Dr. Jericah Jackson of Young Women’s Leadership Academy was named the Secondary Principal of the Year, and Dr. Pablo Siboldi of Worsham Elementary was named the Rookie Principal of the Year.
Scott has 36 years of experience in education and 22 years of experience as a principal. She was named principal of Bussey Elementary in 2015. Before her role at Bussey, Scott was principal of Odom Elementary and Marcella Intermediate.
Scott said she was proud of the environment she had created for Bussey Elementary School.
“By developing leadership and creating a variety of programs and opportunities for
families and the community to engage, we’ve built a strong and supportive
environment at Bussey. These efforts have contributed to the academic growth of all
of our students and a thriving school community where everyone — students, parents,
and staff — feels empowered and involved in the educational journey.”
Jackson has 15 years of experience in education and has served as a principal for five years. Before being named principal of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Jackson was an assistant principal at Aldine Middle School and assistant principal of curriculum and instruction at Shotwell Academy.
Jackson said she wants to foster a sense of strength in the young women who come to her.
“Beyond academics, I cultivate a school culture that supports the whole child, prioritizing their social and emotional well-being and empowering them to become confident and resilient leaders.”
Honoring Excellence: Celebrating AISD’s Outstanding Educators and Their Impact
Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney delivered the closing remarks.
“Congratulations to our winners, finalists, and all of our campus Educators of the Year,” Dr. Goffney said. “On behalf of our Board of Trustees, I want to recognize and celebrate our Campus Teachers of the Year, six finalists, Principals of the Year, our Rookie Teachers and Rookie Principal of the Year, and the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, Lara and Marcus. To our sponsors, thank you for your generosity and commitment to celebrating our incredible teachers through the Aldine Education Foundation. Your support makes a difference in the lives of our educators and students. We talk a lot about choices and opportunities in Aldine ISD, and those aren’t just words. Teachers are powerful beings who open doors for students while transforming their lives. You are the ones who make that promise real for our students. Every single one of you is a leader, and leadership matters. You model excellence. You foster inclusion. You encourage resilience. And most importantly, you inspire. You inspire your students. You inspire your colleagues. And you inspire me.”
Chief Communications Officer Sheila Adams and Eisenhower High School junior Heba Badat, a Superintendent’s Student Ambassador Group member, served as co-emcees for the event. Also present at the event were AISD Board Trustees President Dr. Kimberley Booker, Vice-President Connie Esparza, Secretary Steve Mead, Member Dr. Viola M. García, and Member Randy Bates Jr. Several district Executive Leadership Team members took part in the program alongside the co-emcees, including Chief Academic Officer Faviola Cantú, Chief of Schools Dr. Javier Villarreal; Chief Human Resources Officer Marcia Herrera; Scott Dubberke, school assistant superintendent of elementary schools; Dr. Matilda Orozco, school assistant superintendent of elementary schools; and Dr. Crystal Watson, school assistant superintendent of secondary schools.
Educators of the Year Committees
The Rookie Teachers and Teachers of the Year Committee consisted of Dr. Keena Bradley, executive director of employee relations and classified staffing; Ceydy Turcios from Vines Primary; Amanda Lee from Carmichael Elementary and 2024 Elementary Teacher of the Year; Wilhemina McCraw from Impact Leadership Academy; Maria Gemela from Young Women’s Leadership Academy; Leticia Vargas from Davis High School and 2024 Secondary Teacher of the Year; Aldine Education Foundation Board President Dr. Charlotte Davis; and Dominique Preston, human resources representative.
The Principals of the Year Committee consisted of Dr. Robin Williams, executive director of performance management & development and primary staffing; Ruby Allen, director of human resources-staffing; Principal Rosalind Burns of Jones Primary School; Principal Dr. Cedric Stewart of Victory Early College High School; Georgina Foroi, executive director of family and community engagement; Nancy Gauthier, family and community engagement specialist; Christi Van Wassenhove, executive director of professional learning and leadership development; and Paul Carampatan, director of school administration.
The Rookie Principals of the Year Committee consisted of Christi Van Wassenhove, executive director of professional learning and leadership development; Marcie Strahan, executive director of social and emotional learning and culture; Director of Testing Shana Keller; Georgina Foroi, executive director of family and community engagement; Keshia LaVergne, director of leadership development; and Diaka Melendez, assistant superintendent of student support.
