2026 Employee Recognition Ceremony
Congratulations to our 2026 Teachers and Employees of the Year!
Georgetown ISD celebrated teachers and staff during its Employee Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday, May 5. At the event, the district recognized teachers and employees of the year. This event is held annually in conjunction with Teacher Appreciation Week.
2026 Elementary Campus Teachers of the Year
Sheena Arocho - Carver ES
Esme Bruesewitz - Cooper ES
Staci Thomison - Ford ES
Edie Little - Frost ES
Cathy Childs - McCoy ES
Nicole Jones - Mitchell ES
Elizabeth Gallo - Purl ES
Alexis Renninger - San Gabriel ES
Nancy Robledo - Village ES
Alexis Bawcom - Williams ES
Cassie Davis - Wolf Ranch ES – District Winner
2026 Secondary Campus Teachers of the Year
Kristina Leach - Benold MS
Emily Durell - EVHS – District Winner
Karla Jimenez - Forbes MS
Emily Jimenez - Future Ready Complex
Amanda Sanford - Georgetown Alternative Program
Jenny Gebhardt - Georgetown HS
Lisa Nava - Richarte HS
Shari Howard - Successful Transition Education Program
Kaylee Cheek - Tippit MS
Jennifer Paddock - Wagner MS
2026 Employees of the Year
Auxiliary Campus Finalists:
Julio Lozada Batista, Lead Custodian, Purl ES – District Winner
Juan Martinez, Lead Custodian, Wagner MS
Bianca Ramirez, Cafeteria Manager, San Gabriel ES
Auxiliary Support Finalists:
Michael “Red” Andrews, Lead Electrician – District Winner
Roberto Ortega, Grounds Lead, Athletics
Rick Towe, HVAC Lead
Instructional Paraprofessional Finalists:
Allonna Bodkin, Purl ES – District Winner
Adam Brinley, Georgetown HS
Emily Evans, Wagner MS
Support Paraprofessional Finalists:
Kayla Mullins, Nutrition Services Specialist – District Winner
Sheila Runkle, Ford ES, Receptionist
Sarah Spence, Administrative Assistant, Chief of Staff
District Support Finalists:
Alicia Gierisch, Georgetown HS Instructional Coach – District Winner
Susan Olivares, Dual Language Instructional Coach
Amy Peterson, School Psychologist
Administrator of the Year Finalists:
Rebecca Lambert, Principal, San Gabriel ES – District Winner
Dave Rainey, Director, Guidance & Wellness
Bretton Schulz, Director, Career and Technical Education and Interim Principal, Richarte HS
GISD campuses and departments submitted nominations for teachers and employees who embody the district’s vision and mission. Nominations were reviewed by a committee, and a single winner was selected in each category.
Campus Teacher of the Year nominations were determined using the Texas Teacher of the Year guidelines set by the Texas Association of School Administrators. Since 1969, the Texas Teacher of the Year (TOY) Program has honored excellence in classroom education and provided a forum to showcase many outstanding educators whose efforts and example have inspired their students, their colleagues, and the communities they serve.
Cassie Davis, Wolf Ranch Elementary, and Emily Durell, East View High School, were selected as District Teachers of the Year and will advance to the next level for consideration by Region 13.
This event is sponsored annually by the Georgetown ISD Education Foundation.
View the full photo album from the event here.
