Named in March as one of five large Texas school districts in the running for the HEB Excellence in Education Award, Lamar Consolidated Independent School District has walked away with the top prize – and $100,000.
Superintendent Dr. Thomas Randle and other LCISD officials were on hand to accept the award on behalf of the district on Sunday at Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Austin.
Created by the Texas grocery store chain to “celebrate and recognize the contributions of public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities,” the program awards more than $500,000 in cash prizes to deserving Texas teachers, principals and school districts.
“We are honored to be named a finalist,” said LCISD Dr. Randle said in March when the district learned it was among the finalists. “There are many great school districts in the greater Houston area, and for us to be chosen to represent this area is recognition of the hard work of our teachers, administrators and students, and the support of our community.”
LCISD also had a teacher – Velasquez Elementary School teacher Sharon Horn, with 16 years of classroom experience – in the finals for the contest’s Leadership category, which honors teachers with 10 to 20 years of experience. She was awarded $1,000 for herself, and another $1,000 for the district.
Top prize in that category went to Jennifer Atkinson of Metz Elementary School in Austin.
