Tomball ISD Recognizes Teachers of the Year; Celebrates Students and Staff at 2025-2026 A+ Academic Awards Ceremony

TOMBALL - Tomball ISD celebrated excellence across the District at the 40th Annual A+ Academic Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding students, teachers and staff for their achievements during the 2025-2026 school year. The evening concluded with the announcement of Samantha Stratton from West Elementary as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Cristina Monroe from Tomball Star Academy as Secondary Teacher of the Year.

“The A+ Academic Awards Ceremony is a longstanding tradition that reflects Tomball ISD’s commitment to recognizing excellence across our District,” said School Board President Mark Lewandowski. “This special evening allows us to celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our students, teachers and staff while honoring the dedication, innovation and passion that continue to make Tomball ISD a premier destination for education.”

FULL PHOTO GALLERY

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2025-2026 TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Elementary Teacher of the Year: Samantha Stratton
West Elementary | Academic Specialist

Samantha Stratton serves as an Academic Specialist at West Elementary and has dedicated 15 years to education, nine years coming in Tomball ISD.

Why education? What makes your job so special?
"I truly believe that education is the lynchpin to society. When we pour our efforts and energy into our kids, they grow up to be the difference makers in the world. It's a challenging career but unbelievably rewarding. I can't imagine more important work than ensuring students grow up to be kind, confident, and hardworking people who can achieve anything they want to do in their lives."

Why Tomball ISD?
"I am so proud to be a member of Team Tomball. Tomball ISD is guided by incredible leadership who do not waver from our mission, exude positivity, and advocate for all educators. We have exceptional teachers who inspire me every day with the ways they make learning fun and meaningful for students. The best part of TISD is our kids. Our community is second to none, and our kids are truly capable of being the best in all passions they pursue. I am just honored to be a part of this exemplary school district."

What does it mean to be named Elementary Teacher of the Year? 
Being named TISD Elementary TOTY is an immeasurable honor. One where I get to represent every person in Tomball who has helped shaped me and the schools I have been fortunate to serve. Above all else, what I feel most is gratitude—gratitude for the leadership I have had, for my colleagues, whom I truly could not do this work without, for the families who collaborate with and support us, and for the students who bring us joy and are the reason behind our commitment and hard work. 

West Elementary Principal Chad Schmidt on Samantha Stratton…
“Samantha Stratton is an exceptional educator and leader! She is a champion for all learners at West. There is not a teacher, a team, or a student that has not been positively impacted by the amazing work Mrs. Stratton does each and every day. We are blessed to have her serving our school and our community and now representing our district.”

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Secondary Teacher of the Year: Cristina Monroe
Tomball Star Academy | Biology teacher

Cristina Monroe has served education for 15 years, 10 in Tomball ISD, and currently teaches biology at Tomball Star Academy.

Why education? What makes your job so special?
"Education is never boring.  The impact of a teacher cannot be measured.  I feel a sense of purpose waking up every day and going to work.  Some people say it is a thankless job and that we don't see results until years later, and truthfully, I can see why they say that because it certainly feels that way sometimes.  But when I stop to think about it, I get to see my students grow every day.  We celebrate every step and small win as we go.  I get to be a part of their journey, and that in itself is the most rewarding and special part of my job."

Why Tomball ISD?  
"My husband, David Monroe, a computer science teacher at Tomball Memorial, actually got the job first.  At the time, we lived in Katy, and he was commuting to Tomball Memorial.  At the end of that year when it was time to decide where we would settle down, there was no question that it was Tomball.  Tomball ISD is the first time I heard people say, "I love my job," and I couldn't agree more.  I began to say it more frequently because it wasn't just about what I did on a daily basis but who I did it with.  I have always said that Tomball ISD has the highest concentration of teachers that SHOW UP for the students, that truly care about doing a good job.  It feels good to work alongside so many other dedicated staff, and it inspires me to keep doing what's best for kids.  Furthermore, it is where I trust my own children will receive a quality education, where people care about developing them as a whole and not just academically."

What does it mean to be named Secondary Teacher of the Year?  
"It actually is extremely validating.  It means that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.  It means I have impacted my students, colleagues, and community in the positive way I had hoped.  I can't imagine doing anything else, and I am genuinely honored and humbled by Tomball ISD's recognition of my efforts.  To be recognized by Tomball ISD, the only A rated district in Harris and Montgomery counties, makes me feel extremely grateful and proud to receive this prestigious award."

TSA Principal Dr. Victoria Brinkman on Cristina Monroe…
“Mrs. Monroe is a phenomenal teacher and one of the most reflective educators I have ever encountered. She truly believes that every student can learn, and she works tirelessly to ensure students not only understand the material, but also feel valued and supported as individuals in her classroom.

“While Biology may be her content area, and she is an absolute exemplar in delivering it, students are truly her passion. She leads with heart every single day, creating a space where students feel they belong both academically and personally. Through the many clubs she sponsors and the relationships she builds, Mrs. Monroe goes far beyond teaching content; she changes lives. She is not only an outstanding educator, but one of the very best humans, and we are incredibly proud to have her represent TSA and Tomball ISD as District Teacher of the Year.”

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A+ TEACHERS, PARAS & STUDENTS FROM ALL TOMBALL ISD CAMPUSES

Canyon Pointe Elementary

• Teachers: Liliana Lazo, Ana Woodall
• Para: Maria Nieves Ramirez
• Students: Margaret Gilbert (2nd), Emma Maxim (3rd), John Tillman (4th)

Creekside Forest Elementary

• Teachers: Anne Eichler, Annie Pemberton
• Para: Alyssa Neil
• Students: Nicolas Adydan (2nd), Musa Khan (3rd), Grayson Marchesi (4th), Brooklyn Vulgamore (5th)

Creekview Elementary

• Teachers: Matthew Anderson, Dakota Rogers
• Para: Jared Hardy
• Students: Alejandra Otoya (2nd), Sofia Bates (3rd), Merritt Scott (4th), Michael Matt (5th)

Decker Prairie Elementary

• Teachers: Courtney Carpenter, Donhya Green
• Para: Pallavi Natoo
• Students: Felix Lemon (2nd), Rylan Davis (3rd), Grayson Musso (4th)

Early Excellence Academy

• Teacher: Clare Hill
• Para: Lilia Villarroel

Grand Oaks Elementary

• Teachers: Arden Easton, April Fortenberry
• Para: Chevela Davis
• Students: Audrey Niemann (2nd), Amara Lewis (3rd), Ellen Yang (4th)

Lakewood Elementary

• Teachers: Janet Box, Madelyn Zbranek
• Para: Safa Moussa
• Students: Gemma Reed (2nd), Mark Salazar (3rd), Trenton Luchak (4th)

Rosehill Elementary

• Teachers: Christie Eubanks, Elizabeth Lopez
• Para: Genesis Saravia
• Students: Bethel Egwim (2nd), Leighton Hickey (3rd), Faith Gilley (4th)

Timber Creek Elementary

• Teachers: Jessica Bradle, Kial Rockaway
• Para: Mayela Cure-Mendez
• Students: Cecilia Madero-Defosse (2nd), Dhruv Padmanabh (3rd), Elio Ignacio Orta Cangialosi (4th), Lexi Kate East (5th)

Tomball Elementary

• Teachers: Jill Handal, Wendy Nigro
• Para: Alicia Lopez
• Students: Jiya John (2nd), William Nguyen (3rd), Evey Vaughan (4th)

West Elementary

• Teachers: Bethany Gentry, Samantha Stratton
• Para: Callie Bogdanski
• Students: Madelyn Williams (2nd), Ruth Richardson (3rd), Cienna Combs (4th)

Wildwood Elementary

• Teachers: Barbara Hurst, Michelle Nesom
• Para: Sheri Kendall
• Students: Eshitha Chatterjee (2nd), Oliver Esparza (3rd), Hadley Bua (4th)

Willow Creek Elementary

• Teachers: Kristie Brawley, April Roberts
• Para: Gayle Brothers
• Students: Owen Ngo (2nd), Wyatt Law (3rd), Heidi Schanzer (4th)

Northpointe Intermediate

• Teachers: Shelley Curl, Allan Grande
• Para: Mallory Amador
• Students: Audrey Townsend (5th), Elliott Tran (5th), Thi Yen Le (6th), Sydney Zbranek (6th)

Oakcrest Intermediate

• Teachers: Max Hengst, Tiffany Vincent
• Para: Amy Devoar
• Students: Krishay Tapar (5th), Jeremy Wang (5th), Khang Huynhtan (6th), Stella Maconchy (6th)

Tomball Intermediate 

• Teachers: Bailey Bass, Andrea Handcox
• Para: Kathryn Boucher
• Students: Bryland Allmaras (5th), Isabella Shaver (5th), Cody Hair (6th), Ameilia Scherzer (6th)

West Intermediate 

• Teachers: Angela Hebrink, Taylar Wall
• Para: Kathryn Caspersen
• Students: Ella Snow (5th), Sophia Wuensche (5th), Megan Danziger (6th), Emery Graham (6th)

Creekside Park Junior High 

• Teachers: Crystal Henrix, Nicole Schuler
• Para: Martha Byers
• Students: Dhruv Kumar (6th), Cadence Mills (6th), Eric Zmudzinkski (6th), Jose Eduardo Cruz Solano Perez (7th), Mark Ilin (7th), Cole Obrock (7th), Henry Gelhar (8th), Erik Velez (8th), Ramya Venkat (8th)

Grand Lakes Junior High

• Teachers: Kerra Gentzel, Kristin Patrick
• Para: Jennifer Calvillo
• Students: Laura Foster (7th), Misha Masilamony (7th), Harper Suhor (7th), Aria Lavaty (8th), Aarohee Phatak (8th), Emily Yang (8th)

Tomball Junior High

• Teachers: Macie Pena, Sarah Workman
• Para: Angel Pawlak
• Students: Ike Bagoly (7th), Charlene Merlano (7th), Micah Ogbunuju (7th), Srihaas Chinta (8th), Harper Foran (8th), Caelin Hall (8th)

Willow Wood Junior High

• Teachers: Jason Blackwood, Ricky Kindley
• Para: Heidi Ronshausen
• Students: Mustafacan Bozkurt (7th), Evelyn Kao (7th), Sunwoo Kim (7th), Hibah Atif (8th), Reyansh Gupta (8th), Zunaira Sakhawat (8th)

Connections Academy

• Teacher: Linda Whitson
• Para: Kenomy Garcia

Tomball High School

• Teachers: Tiffany Clyde, Jerry Fordyce, Robert Smallwood, Krystal Zwerneman
• Para: Beth Kruppa
• Students: Braylon Althaus (9th), Renata Cruz Solano Perez (9th), Elizabeth Heidrich (9th), Rodrigo Vieria (9th), Aubrey Ames (10th), Michael Brown (10th), Brady Jones (10th), Samantha Thompson (10th), Emma Lin (11th), Rohan Julapalli (11th), Joseph Perez (11th), Liam Warren (11th), Jack Dixon (12th), Daniel Hoffmaster (12th), Eshan Jolly (12th), John Lezama (12th)

Tomball Memorial High School

• Teachers: Matt Blume, Christy Cary, Mindy Garcia, Terrance Woods
• Para: Kelly Cano
• Students: Ethan Bo-Xi Chia (9th), Kaitlyn Hsieh (9th), Tanvi Venkat Rejendran (9th), Emmy Trinh (9th), Anvika Chevuri (10th), Long Viet Nguyen (10th), Madison Sheppard (10th), Brooks Wuthrich (10th), Elina Chatterjee (11th), Aaryan Karlapalem (11th), Vivian Nguyen (11th), George Watrous (11th), John Aday (12th), Aubrie Austin (12th), Hailey Wilcox (12th), Tim Zhao (12th)

Tomball Star Academy

• Teachers: Danielle Hardin, Cristina Monroe
• Para: Kathi Perrotte
• Students: Oreoluwa Akinyemiju (9th), Cara Little (9th), Taanya Viriginei (10th), Elijah Davis (11th), Andrea Morales (11th), Austin Fontenot (12th), Tyler Ashtron Tran (12th)

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PARAPROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR, PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR, MULTILINGUAL TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Campus Paraprofessional of the Year: Kathi Perrotte
Tomball Star Academy | Administrative Assistant

District Paraprofessional of the Year: Heather Hernandez
PEIMS | PEIMS Specialist

Elementary Principal of the Year: Deanna Porter
Willow Creek Elementary

Secondary Principal of the Year: Jennifer Collier
Tomball Memorial High School

ESL Rising Star: Chloe Morris
Early Excellence Academy

Bilingual Teacher of the Year: Rubi Ramirez
Rosehill Elementary

Elementary ESL Teacher of the Year: Shannon Clepper
Canyon Pointe Elementary

Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year: Veronica Silvas
Tomball Junior High

World Languages Teacher of the Year: Lindsay Solis
Tomball High School

Leadership Champion: Gabriela Avellenada
Rosehill Elementary

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ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 25 campuses.