Alexander Elementary
Blueprint of Success: Katy ISD Honors Excellence at 2026 ‘Of the Year’ Awards
Blueprint of Success: Katy ISD Honors Excellence at 2026 ‘Of the Year’ Awards
KATY, TX [April 16, 2026] – Katy ISD celebrated people who power its success, honoring the 2026 “Of the Year” recipients during an evening dedicated to excellence, leadership and service across the District.
Held under the theme “The Blueprint of Katy,” the annual event recognized educators, campus leaders, support staff, safety professionals and operations teams who exceed expectations in serving more than 95,000 students, and their families, across the community.
“This evening is about recognizing those who consistently go above and beyond in their roles,” Board President Lance Redmon said. “These individuals exemplify what it means to serve with heart and integrity, and they show up each day for our students and staff across Katy ISD.”
“Earning an ‘Of the Year’ honor in a premier District like Katy ISD reflects excellence, character and meaningful impact,” Katy ISD Superintendent Ken Gregorski said. “The strength of our District comes from the people we honor tonight – individuals who lead, serve and inspire in every role across Katy ISD.”
The celebration also recognized the District’s top educators, including its Rookie Teachers of the Year and Teachers of the Year, who will serve as ambassadors for Katy ISD in the year ahead.
The 2026 ‘Of the Year’ honorees include:
|
Category |
Name |
Location |
|
District Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year |
Porchea Butler |
Faldyn Elementary |
|
District Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year |
Victoria Stornello |
Griffin Elementary |
|
District Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year |
Blake Kane |
Freeman High School |
|
District Elementary Teacher of the Year |
Quarde D. Alfred |
Leonard Elementary |
|
District Secondary Teacher of the Year |
Jessica Melancon |
Katy Junior High |
|
Elementary Principal of the Year |
Kara Fox |
Schmalz Elementary |
|
Secondary Principal of the Year |
Dr. Rick Hull |
Katy High School |
|
Elementary Assistant Principal of the Year |
Kaleena Roman |
McElwain Elementary |
|
Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year |
Lauren White |
Paetow High School |
|
Maintenance & Operations Employee of the Year |
Martin Courville |
Maintenance & Operations |
|
Maintenance & Operations Student Program Support Employee of the Year |
Matthew Patman |
Maintenance & Operations |
|
Nutrition & Food Services Employee of the Year |
Margie Fagan |
Jordan High School |
|
Transportation Employee of the Year |
Brandon Sykes |
East Transportation Center |
|
Elementary Security Officer of the Year |
Juliana Rivas |
Morton Ranch Elementary |
|
Secondary Security Officer of the Year |
Ruth Wilson |
Tompkins High School |
|
Police & Emergency Management Employee of the Year |
Heidy Macias |
Law Enforcement Center |
|
Police Officer of the Year |
Ana Wilkinson |
West Memorial Junior High |
|
Elementary Library Media Specialist of the Year |
Traci Trykoski |
Shafer Elementary |
|
Secondary Library Media Specialist of the Year |
Rebecca Gruen |
Morton Ranch High School |
|
Elementary Counselor of the Year |
Morgan Ditchman |
Creech Elementary |
|
Secondary Counselor of the Year |
Meghan McCarthy |
WoodCreek Junior High |
|
Campus Student Support Personnel of the Year |
Sonya Rebec-Dobbs |
Mayde Creek High School |
|
Elementary Nurse of the Year |
Loretta Tourish |
Boudny Elementary |
|
Secondary Nurse of the Year |
Kasey Nelson |
Tompkins High School |
|
School Psychologist of the Year |
Sara Blakley-Cosser |
Seven Lakes High School |
|
Speech-Language Pathologist of the Year |
Karen Hong |
Stephens Elementary |
|
Diagnostician of the Year |
Tiffanye Dorsey |
WoodCreek Junior High |
|
ARD Facilitator of the Year |
Carol Ann Hoevelman |
Cimarron Elementary |
|
Elementary Administrative Paraprofessional of the Year |
Dawn Weis |
Cross Elementary |
|
Elementary Instructional Paraprofessional of the Year |
Eleanny Bracho Gonzalez |
West Memorial Elementary |
|
Secondary Administrative Paraprofessional of the Year |
Jill Baros |
Memorial Parkway Junior High |
|
Secondary Instructional Paraprofessional of the Year |
Anna Mansfield |
Morton Ranch High School |
|
Substitute of the Year |
Swapna Shivananda |
Districtwide |
|
ESC Administrative Paraprofessional of the Year |
Melody Ellis |
Education Support Complex |
|
Elementary Instructional Coach of the Year |
Jaclyn O’Connell |
Shafer Elementary |
|
Secondary Instructional Coach of the Year |
Fabia Mendez |
Beckendorff Junior High |
Katy ISD honored top employees at the annual ‘Of the Year’ Awards Ceremony.
2026 ‘Of the Year’ Awards Photo Gallery
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