August 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 5, 2025
Contact: Stephanie Noriega, Chief of the Center for Strategic Communications and Engagement, Region 4 Education Service Center
Phone: 832.541.3121
Email: stephanie.noriega@esc4.net
Clear Creek ISD and Dickinson ISD Educators Named 2026 Region 4 Teachers of the Year
HOUSTON, Texas—Vickie Wright of Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary (Clear Creek ISD) and Ashley Anderson of Dickinson Continuation Center (Dickinson ISD) have been named the 2026 Region 4 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, respectively. These two outstanding educators will represent the Houston area in the Texas Teachers of the Year program, coordinated by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA).
“Teachers are the heartbeat of our classrooms and the foundation of student success,” said Dr. Rodney Watson, Executive Director of Region 4 Education Service Center. “Every teacher deserves to be recognized for the lasting impression they make in the lives of students. Today, we celebrate two remarkable educators whose commitment to excellence and innovation showcases a high standard in the realm of education. I congratulate Ms. Wright and Ms. Anderson and look forward to their continued success and impact both inside and outside the classroom.”
Vickie Wright brings 14 years of teaching experience to her work at Margaret S. McWhirter Elementary, where her commitment to student success leaves a lasting impact. Known for her warm, student-centered approach and passion for building strong foundations, Wright creates a classroom culture where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to achieve.
Ashley Anderson, a dedicated English teacher at the Dickinson Continuation Center, brings 9 years of experience to her classroom, including six years in Dickinson ISD. Known for her unmatched support of students and colleagues alike, Anderson is praised for her patience, positivity, and deep content knowledge.
The Region 4 Teachers of the Year program honors exemplary educators from 47 public school districts and 43 open-enrollment charter schools across the Houston area. Finalists are selected through a rigorous review and interview process by an impartial panel. One elementary and one secondary teacher are selected to represent Region 4 at the state level.
Wright and Anderson were chosen from a pool of exceptional finalists:
Elementary Finalists
- Stephanie Walton, Wilchester Elementary, Spring Branch ISD
- Aimee Harris, Whispering Pines Elementary, Humble ISD
- Donald Cook, Turlington Elementary, Waller ISD
- Julia Flores, Canyon Pointe Elementary, Tomball ISD
- Maryland Nguyen, Eastside Elementary, Cleveland ISD
Secondary Finalists
- Aja Cormier, Ball High School, Galveston ISD
- Alicia Russo-Murrell, Royal High School, Royal ISD
- Janene Dhalai, HMPS Pearland, Horizon Montessori Public Schools
- Kenneth Cosme, Angleton Junior High, Angleton ISD
- Brooke Howard, Wertheimer Middle School, Lamar CISD
- Cassandra DeBottis, Kingwood Park High School, Humble ISD
TASA will announce the Texas Teachers of the Year on October 17, 2025, at a ceremony hosted at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Round Rock. One educator will be named the Texas Teacher of the Year and advance to the National Teacher of the Year competition.
###
About Region 4 Education Service Center
Region 4 is one of 20 regional education service centers established by the Texas Legislature in 1967 to assist school districts and charter schools in improving student performance and districts’ efficiency. Regional education service centers are nonregulatory, intermediate education units. Texas Education Code, Chapter 8, allows each school district to voluntarily be served by a regional education service center.
Region 4 serves 47 public school districts and 43 open-enrollment charter schools, representing more than 1.2 million students, 111,000 educators, and 1,500 campuses across eight counties.
To learn more, visit esc4.net.