Tomball ISD Recognizes 2025-2026 Paraprofessionals of the Year

TOMBALL - Tomball ISD Administration recently recognized two outstanding staff members as the 2025–2026 Tomball ISD Paraprofessionals of the Year: Kathi Perrotte of Tomball Star Academy and Heather Hernandez from PEIMS.

Both recipients have shown exceptional dedication in their roles, consistently supporting students, staff, and families across the District. Their commitment and service make a lasting impact on the Tomball ISD community, and we are proud to honor their achievements.

CAMPUS PARAPROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Kathi Perrotte - Tomball Star Academy

Kathi Perrotte has served Tomball ISD for 25 years and has served Tomball Star Academy for eight years as an administrative assistant for campus leadership.

What is the best part about your job?
"The best part of my job is, without a doubt, the students. I love being a small part of their high school experience and watching them become amazing adults."

What has kept you in Tomball ISD?
"My Tomball family is what has kept me in this District for so long. We care about each other and are always there for each other. Even as I have changed schools, my family just keeps growing."

TSA Principal Dr. Victoria Brinkman:
“While her title reflects her support of our associate principal and counseling team, her impact on our campus reaches far beyond those responsibilities. Mrs. Perrotte is truly the heartbeat of the upstairs office and a cornerstone of daily operations at Tomball Star Academy.

She consistently goes above and beyond in ways that ensure our campus runs smoothly. She troubleshoots technology issues for students, manages both TSA and Lone Star College textbooks, oversees student parking, makes sure our mascot is ready to go for events, and seamlessly handles countless behind-the-scenes responsibilities. No task is ever too big or too small, and she approaches each one with professionalism and efficiency.

What sets Mrs. Perrotte apart most is her ability to build meaningful relationships with both students and staff. She has become a trusted confidant on our campus.”

DISTRICT PARAPROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Heather Hernandez - PEIMS

Heather Hernandez has given 17 years to Texas public education, including seven years in Tomball ISD. She began her work in Tomball ISD as the Campus Registrar at Willow Wood Junior High and has grown into her current role as PEIMS District Specialist.

What is the best part about your job? 
“The best part of my job is the opportunity I have each day to support people, solve problems, and make a real difference across Tomball ISD. In my role, I get to serve our PEIMS team, campus registrars, attendance staff, administrators, and district departments through many different data, registration, compliance, and reporting situations. No two days look exactly the same, and I love that this work gives me the chance to grow, learn, and help others along the way.

Over the past five years, I have had the honor of helping build this role from the ground up as the first and founding PEIMS Specialist. That opportunity has shaped me in so many ways. It has allowed me to grow professionally, strengthen my knowledge, build trust across the district, and become a dependable resource for others. I am proud to be part of an extraordinary team that works hard, supports one another, and understands the importance of accurate data and strong service."

What makes your work so meaningful?
"What makes this work so meaningful is knowing it impacts more than reports or processes. It supports campuses. It supports staff. It supports students. Every time I help solve a problem, answer a question, clean up data, or guide someone through a difficult situation, I know I am contributing to something bigger.

I believe this work is about taking care of business while taking care of hearts. That is what I try to bring into my role each day. I want people to feel supported, heard, and confident when they come to me. Being able to serve others with both accuracy and care is what I value most about my job."

What has kept you in Tomball ISD?
"The people, the purpose, and the strong sense of family that exists across this district has kept me in Tomball ISD. From the beginning, I have felt supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow. Tomball ISD is a place where people care deeply about the work, but they also care deeply about one another.

Being part of the PEIMS team has given me opportunities I will always be grateful for. I stay because I believe in the work. I stay because I love serving our campuses, staff, and students. I stay because Tomball ISD has given me room to grow, lead, learn, and contribute in a way that matters. This district has helped me become stronger, more confident, and more connected to the purpose behind our work."

PEIMS Coordinator Kenny Cloud:
“Heather’s impact on Tomball ISD is hard to put into words because it reaches so many people. She has helped our PEIMS team maintain a gold standard for data quality at the state level. She supports our Student Information System (SIS) eSchoolPlus and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) eFinancePlus systems, helps strengthen the connection between critical software systems, and plays a key role in PEIMS and core submissions. The work she does behind the scenes helps our district run smoothly, stay accurate, and serve students with excellence.

She brings high energy into every room and every challenge. When something needs attention, Heather leans in. When someone needs help, Heather shows up. She is dependable, uplifting, and steady, even during the busiest and most demanding times of the year.”

Both Perrotte and Hernandez will also be honored at Tomball ISD’s A+ Awards Ceremony on May 12.

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 23,300 students across 25 campuses.