𝔸𝕤𝕙𝕝𝕖𝕖 𝔾𝕣𝕒𝕙𝕒𝕞

The Rockwall Independent School District is pleased to announce the 2026 Teacher of the Year nominees. Twenty-six teachers, one representing each campus, were selected by their peers and colleagues for the honor. The district elementary and secondary Teacher of the Year will be selected from the group of nominees and announced in May at the Rockwall ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet. Members from the Rockwall Breakfast Rotary, as well as previous Rockwall ISD Teachers of the Year, serve on the District selection committee. The District Teachers of the Year will represent Rockwall ISD in the Region 10 competition. 🎉 Congratulations to the following 2026 Teacher of the Year nominees: Amanda Rochell Elementary, Catrina Bessard Amy Parks-Heath Elementary, Lauren Gaspard Billie Stevenson Elementary, Stacey Kimmel Celia Hays Elementary, Kimberly Williams Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary, Bailey Schoeck Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary, Janelle Ohr Dorris A. Jones Elementary, Jeanette Allison Grace Hartman Elementary, Rachel Torriero Howard Dobbs Elementary, Vilma Nieto Linda Lyon Elementary, Brad Seed Lupe Garcia Elementary, Rise Suazo Nebbie Williams Elementary, Kiyomi Norris Sherry & Paul Hamm Elementary, Megan Parson Ouida Springer Elementary, Dawn Goar Sharon Shannon Elementary, Kayse Williams Virginia Reinhardt Elementary, Allison Blair Herman E. Utley Middle School, Ginger Drain J.W. Williams Middle School, Racheal Waller Maurine Cain Middle School, Leila Gibson Ursula Rakow Middle School, Billy Garrett Rockwall High School, Nichelle Wallace Rockwall High School Ninth Grade Campus, Geraldine Robertson Rockwall-Heath High School, Christopher Bell Rockwall-Heath High School Ninth Grade Campus, Drew Austin Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy, Misty Rayson Quest Academy, Michelle Mullins

VATRE Funds Would Help With Teacher Pay 👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 The Nov. 4 election relies on local decision-making so voters can decide if they will allow Rockwall ISD to access additional local funding to help address teacher and staff pay, especially for veteran teachers. The net change in the overall tax rate from last year would be 4 cents, costing the average taxpayer about $13 per month. Seniors 65 years and older have their taxes frozen if they apply for the homestead exemption and don't make improvements to their primary residence. The local VATRE funds — about $16.5 million per year — would be allocated as follows: ➜ 64% for pay for all employees, with an emphasis on veteran teacher pay ➜ 24% for underfunded special education and other student needs ➜ 12% for underfunded school safety Get the full details ⬇️ 🔗rockwallisd.com/vatre25