KISD Proudly Announces 2025-26 Campus Teachers of the Year

Keller ISD campuses have named their Teachers of the Year, and the District is proud to announce this year's top 40 educators, who consistently demonstrate exceptional teaching skills, a passion for learning, and an unwavering commitment to creating an environment where students can thrive.

Campus Teachers of the Year will be honored at a special evening event on April 9, where the two District winners will also be announced. The District's Top 10 Finalists will be revealed the last week in February – stay tuned! 

Congratulations to the 2025-26 honorees:

Basswood Elementary – Cesar Medina, 3rd Grade
Bette Perot Elementary – Leslie Smith, Kindergarten
Bluebonnet Elementary – Rachel O'Connor, 1st Grade
Caprock Elementary – Gennel Lassen, Resource Inclusion
Eagle Ridge Elementary – Lisa Long, 4th Grade
Florence Elementary – Michele Newbrough, Resource
Freedom Elementary – Hailey Milam, Kindergarten
Friendship Elementary – Dominique Sosa, 1st Grade
Heritage Elementary – Jenelle Clement-King, 1st Grade
Hidden Lakes Elementary – Melissa Fraga, STARS
Independence Elementary – Melissa Zihlman, 1st Grade
Keller-Harvel Elementary – April Guy, 1st Grade
Liberty Elementary – Katie Maxwell, Kindergarten
Lone Star Elementary – Jenn Coker, 2nd Grade 
North Riverside Elementary – Melissa Cox, 2nd Grade
Park Glen Elementary – Meredith Godfrey, Kindergarten
Parkview Elementary – Leah Tillerson, Kindergarten
Ridgeview Elementary – Haley Noyes, Early Childhood Special Education
Shady Grove Elementary – Paula Warrick, 4th Grade
Sunset Valley Elementary – Cheryl Kneblik, Math Resource
Whitley Road Elementary – Tiffany Bredekamp, Kindergarten
Willis Lane Elementary – Megan Lockett, Music
Woodland Springs Elementary – Mandy Martinez, Dyslexia

Bear Creek Intermediate – Macie Steele, Choir
Parkwood Hill Intermediate – Amy Delgado, SPED
Trinity Meadows Intermediate – Stephanie Badenhorst, 5th Grade ELA

Fossil Hill Middle – Leanne Kaidannek, 8th Grade Math
Hillwood Middle – Philip Summers, 8th Grade Advisory
Indian Springs Middle – Caroline Caves, Head Band Director
Keller Middle – Will Day, 8th Grade Math
Timberview Middle – Tristan Badenhorst, SPED
Trinity Springs Middle – Morgan Sneed, Art
Vista Ridge Middle – Jamie Fieldhouse, Instructional Coach

Central High – Andreya Raska, Photo Journalism and Yearbook
Fossil Ridge High – Thomas Thompson, Science
Keller Center for Advanced Learning – Kate MacLean, Health Science
Keller Collegiate Academy – Jeff Potts, History
Keller Compass Center – Lauren Townsley, Middle School DAEP
Keller High – Shelly Harrison, English
Timber Creek High – Tina DeMichele, Girls Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach