See which Corpus Christi ISD educators won Teacher of the Year, H-E-B awards
When she saw children waving pool noodles in the air, Menger Elementary School Principal Christina Barrera realized that the Monday gathering in the school cafeteria might not be quite what she’d expected.
Her suspicions were confirmed when the curtain hiding the stage opened, revealing the H‑E‑Buddy mascot and store representatives holding a giant check with her name on it.
The excited students held signs with messages of congratulations in the audience. “Hip Hip Hooray 4 Dr. B,” one sign read.
Barrera was one of the finalists in H-E-B's 2023 Excellence in Education Awards, earning a $1,000 check for herself and a $2,500 check for her school. Barrera also won the award last year.
“She’s a phenomenal leader,” Menger Elementary School Assistant Principal Josette Longoria said. “She does everything with her heart, with her students and her staff in heart. As a new assistant principal, she’s given me wings.”
Barrera’s celebration was just one of several across Corpus Christi Monday. Earlier that morning, Ray High School social studies teacher Walker Perkins, who has taught for 12 years, was lured into the school library to learn that he’d been named a finalist in the awards’ “leadership secondary” category, earning a $1,000 check for himself and a $1,000 check for his school.
“A lot of what we do a lot of the times happens behind closed doors,” Perkins said. “What we do isn’t always very visible to the public, but H-E-B does a great job of shining a light on it.”
Perkins earned an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award as a “rising star” previously during his seventh year teaching.
"Mr. Perkins is a wonderful storyteller, which makes it super engaging for the kids,” Ray High School Principal Roxanne Cuevas said. “He definitely brings rich history to life in our school and on our campus.”
Additionally, Corpus Christi ISD learned in January that it was one of five finalists across the state in the competition’s large school district category.
Teacher of the Year
The district also announced its Teacher of the Year winners at the Administration Building Monday evening.
Three finalists each for the elementary and secondary levels were honored. Jones Elementary School teacher Christina Carrillo and Kaffie Middle School teacher Cynthia Hopkins won the top spots.
Finalists in the district’s competition were Windsor Park Elementary School teacher Amanda Huerta, Houston Elementary School teacher Diana Johnson, Collegiate High School teacher Julia Valenti-Tontini and Adkins Middle School teacher Lia Jordan.
Carrillo and Hopkins will be considered by Education Service Center, Region 2 for Regional Teacher of the Year, along with winners from other area districts.
Carrillo, who has been teaching for seven years, told the district contest judges that her childhood dream was to be a teacher. She’s focused on encouraging her kids to be lifelong learners, living out that expectation herself as she pursues professional education and recently completed a master’s degree.
“Mrs. Carrillo believes students should feel safe and loved in their classroom,” Superintendent Roland Hernandez said. “Each morning she can be seen greeting her students with a welcoming smile, a happy high-five, a heartfelt hug or a warm wave.”
Hopkins told the crowd that she battled cancer last year.
“What really saved my life is my kids and the incredible people I work with,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins has taught for 15 years. Last year, she also served on the Texas Teacher Vacancy Task Force, participating in the statewide effort to address teacher shortages.
“I truly believe that all my kids can learn and all my kids will change the world,” Hopkins said.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: These Corpus Christi ISD educators won Teacher of the Year, H-E-B awards
