2025-2026 Ronnie Ray ESP Advocate of the Year Award
Olga Lopez
Ermalee Boice Instructional Advocacy Award
Pooja Mulgaonker
Region Ronnie Ray ESPs of the Year Award
Gloria Ferran, Garland Education Association
Cynthia Jefferson, Cy Fair TSTA/NEA
Lonnie Richardson, NEA-Dallas
Local Outstanding AR Award
Laura Cullen, Milam County Educators Association
Outstanding AR Award
Yolanda Walker, Garland Education Association
Local Leaders for Tomorrow Award
Keke Powell, Hays Educators Association
Pride in Communications
Best Local Electronic Newsletter, 151-300 members:
Education Round Rock
President: Tammy Conrad
Editor: Drew Brandt
Best Local Electronic Newsletter, more than 1000 members (TIE)
Lubbock Educators Association
President: Lauren Smith
Editor: Heather Gatlin
&
NEA-Dallas
President: Sheila Walker
Editor: Raya Staley
Best Regional Newsletter:
Region 12
President: Lauren Smith
Editor: Heather Gatlin
Best Association Website, 151-300 members:
Education Round Rock
President: Tammy Conrad
Editors: Sarah Lozano & Cindy Matias
School Bell Awards
Outstanding Continuous Coverage
Claudia Lorena Silva – El Paso Matters
Robert Moore – El Paso Matters
Outstanding News Story
Lexi Churchill – The Texas Tribune, ProPublica
Ellis Simani – The Texas Tribune, ProPublica
“Some Texas private schools hire relatives and
enrich insiders. Soon they can do it with taxpayer
money.”
Outstanding Feature Story
Keri Heath – Austin American-Statesman
“Ripping our hearts out”: Austin ISD communities
grieve proposed school closures
Outstanding Column
Lisa Falkenberg – Houston Chronicle
“I feel like a spy.” In Mike Miles’ HISD, teachers and
students say reading books is a secret plot
Outstanding Television Series
Estela Casas – KTSM-TV
Outstanding Multimedia Presentation
Kelly Wiley – KXAN-TV
Christopher Adams – KXAN-TV
Richie Bowes – KXAN-TV
“Undocumented: Students Worry Amid Deportation
Push”