Teachers of the Year

Each year for decades, RISD has selected its best and brightest educators as teachers of the year. Most recently, these outstanding educators have been STARS teachers (Superior Teaching Achievement in RISD Schools). Prior to that they were RISE teachers – same level of excellence, just a different name.

RISD celebrates our outstanding educators and thanks them for their talent, commitment and dedication to the children of the Richardson ISD community.

Teacher of the Year Winners

2024 Award Winners

  • Jason Henry, Richardson Heights ES
  • Dr. Ronnecia McCain, Christa McAuliffe Learning Center
  • Debbie Reese, Richardson HS
  • Natalie Roefer, Bowie ES
  • Brian Rote, Forest Meadow JH
  • Keith Tompkins, Apollo JH
  • Sara Turner, Northlake ES
  • Kathleen Weatherford, Jess Harben ES

2023 Award Winners

  • Mary Altman, Prestonwood ES
  • Jordyn Baker, Moss Haven ES
  • Preston Dozier, Pearce HS
  • Ernie Huben, Liberty JH
  • Victoria McKinney, Forestridge ES
  • Katie Palser, Lake Highlands JH
  • Rebecca Richardson, Dobie Pre-K
  • Andrea Vallejo, Richardson HS

2022 Award Winners

  • Dawn Bird, Lake Highlands ES
  • Tiffany Bunch, Apollo JH
  • Stephanie Camacho, Springridge ES
  • Nikki Clark, Richardson HS
  • Marcy Dale, Prairie Creek ES
  • Paige Houghtaling, Forest Meadow JH
  • Analisa Rangel, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet
  • Joe Sawyer, Pearce HS
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2021 Award Winners

  • Heather Biddle, Pearce HS
  • Carly Joliat, Forest Lane Academy
  • Laura McCormack, White Rock ES
  • Kelly Moss, Lake Highlands JH
  • Rebecca Novick, Merriman Park ES
  • Kandi Patak, MST Magnet
  • Heather Pineda, Liberty JH
  • Stefany Ruhl, Yale ES
  • Kenneth Stampe, Richardson HS
  • Cassie Starnes, Greenwood Hills ES

2020 Award Winners

  • Helen Arceneaux, Liberty JH
  • Stephanie Bowling, Northlake ES
  • Tamesia Chatman, Merriman Park ES
  • Tina Cruickshank, Forest Lane Academy
  • Andrew Harden, Forest Lane Academy
  • Erin Kane, Lake Highlands HS
  • Karen Monroe, Westwood JH
  • Amy Smith, Apollo JH
  • Kim Terry, MST Magnet
  • Erica Walden, Greenwood Hills ES

2019 Award Winners

  • Sonya Ayers, Apollo JH
  • Erica Hoyt, Wallace ES
  • Rachel Nelson, Forestridge ES
  • Ashley Nick, North JH
  • Jonathan Roozeboom, Westwood JH
  • Jason Schayot, Berkner HS
  • Matt Smith, Forest Meadow JH
  • Maria Velasco, Dover ES
  • John Witter, Richardson HS
  • Courtney Wright, Bukhair ES

2018 Award Winners

  • Angie Alford, Spring Creek ES
  • Erik Archilla, Richardson HS
  • Casey Boland, Lake Highlands HS
  • Judy Boone, Wallace ES
  • Ross Ferrans, Forest Lake Academy
  • Erin Fox, Parkhill JH
  • Heidi Harris, Arapaho Classical Magnet
  • Ashley Jones, Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet
  • Sherry Null, Apollo JH
  • Nicole Wilson, MST Magnet

2017 Award Winners

  • Cathleen Barnette, Merriman Park ES
  • Jennifer Cheng, Richardson HS
  • Leigh Ann Hushfield, Apollo JH
  • Amelia Icossipentarhos, Westwood JH
  • Shannon Johnson, Moss Haven ES
  • Bonnie McClure, Richland ES
  • Matthew Morris, Lake Highlands HS
  • Jessica Orozco, Forest Meadow JH
  • Craig Sandy, Heights ES
  • Caitlin Wright, Northwood Hills ES

2016 Award Winners

  • Gretchen Allen, Spring Creek ES
  • Heath Anderson, Aikin ES
  • Meredith Bartholomew, Westwood JH
  • Jennifer Broussard, West JH
  • Ron Crawford, White Rock ES
  • William Gattus, Dobie PK
  • Tami Mabry, Moss Haven ES
  • Marissa Tavallee, Lake Highlands HS
  • Andrew Weak, Apollo JH
  • Mary Lou Wild, Pearce HS

2015 Award Winners

  • Lisa Baker, Northlake ES
  • Jeff Brown, Lake Highlands HS
  • Marion Figueroa, Moss Haven ES
  • Stephanie Miller, Skyview ES
  • Cari Nasrallah, Terrace ES
  • Carisa Niemeyer, Forest Meadow JH
  • Omar Pastrana, West JH
  • Ashley Scott, White Rock ES
  • Meg Shull, Bowie ES
  • Tony Strohmeyer, Richardson HS

2014 Award Winners

  • Sarah Claborn, MST Magnet
  • Andrea Dysput, Forestridge ES
  • Christina Fuller, Lake Highlands ES
  • Nick Hamilton, Audelia Creek ES
  • Amy Hammer, Richardson HS
  • Chad Lawson, Pearce HS
  • Chris Pineda, Liberty JH
  • Cori Pratt, Bukhair ES
  • Heather Robb, Dobie PK
  • Alexis Stern, Richardson HS

2013 Award Winners​

  • Kim Aman, Moss Haven ES
  • Jennifer Barbknecht, Berkner HS
  • Tobi Brooks, Pearce HS
  • NaKaydria Johnson, Stults Road ES
  • Jeni Dillingham, Bowie ES
  • Leah McDonough, Richardson Terrace ES
  • Candice Nichols, Lake Highlands HS
  • Ryan Radcliffe, Parkhill JH
  • Oswaldo Rivera-Ortiz, Forest Lane Academy
  • Happy Schwieterman, ACM

2012 Award Winners​

  • Alisa Bettega
  • Carol Davies
  • Kathryn Fisher
  • Kyle Griffis
  • Katy Phinney
  • Alison Reams
  • Ashley Rich
  • Rachel San Jose
  • Karen Wilson
  • Hunter Wood

2011 Award Winners

  • Alicia Arruda
  • Tracey Bishkin
  • Jeff Bivins
  • Brenda Marr
  • Susan McClellan
  • Elizabeth Miley
  • Tiffany Miller
  • Caree Rahberg
  • Joan Swim
  • Terry Wade

2010 Award Winners

  • Terry Berrier
  • Mandy Braddy
  • Lyndsey Dickinson
  • Karen Fields
  • Becky Lesher
  • Camille Parker
  • Tara Parmley
  • Anne Shacklett
  • Jarred Stewart
  • Scott Tiffany

2009 Award Winners

  • Lance Belin
  • Shelley Bourland
  • Mandee Ehmer
  • M’Lissa Howen
  • Karrie Looney
  • Shaleen Margolese
  • Craig Needham
  • Shannon O’Brien
  • Myron Stennett
  • Richelle Stinnett

2008 Award Winners

  • Mark Danielson/Sharon Howard
  • Linda Goldman
  • Christa Harker
  • Carl Herod
  • Patricia Hofeditz
  • Gary Leslie
  • Jill Livingston
  • Tammy Monroe
  • Heather Sharp
  • Megan Schmidt
  • Cara Tesla

2007 Award Winners

  • Sean Dowlatshahi
  • George Hademnos
  • Kristin Barker Hames
  • Carlla Holt
  • Bryant Lewis
  • Alicia Mills
  • Keldrick Robinson
  • Judy Rowland
  • Doug Valentine
  • Kellee Wilkinson

2006 Award Winners

  • Carrie Bond
  • Kimberly Carlton-Humphrey
  • Jody Cies
  • Valerie Finke
  • Kara Gaetner
  • Karen Latimer
  • Laurel Marshall
  • Keith Nelson
  • Laura Roberton

2005 Award Winners

  • Misti Bunch
  • Allison Kane
  • Paul Matchniff
  • Danette Morrison
  • Joel Price
  • Tonya Rose
  • Anne Stone
  • Terry Taylor
  • Kathryn Weatherford
  • Jennifer Wilson

2004 Award Winners​

  • Susan Denzer
  • Greg Fawnsworth
  • Diane Magary
  • Robin Moffett
  • Robert Rowe
  • Debbie Stallings
  • Kelsey Temple
  • Fran Maples
  • Gloria Voutos
  • Phillis Tompkins

2003 Award Winners​

  • Linda Bernard
  • Scott Cotton
  • Lisa Cunningham
  • Melissa Draper
  • Mary Fretz
  • Jane McCurdy
  • Debra Pruessner
  • Katherine Sweet
  • Rick Urbanczyk
  • Ted Walker

2002 Award Winners

  • Jennifer Anderson
  • Kari Gilbertson
  • Betty Jackson
  • Lucy Jardine
  • Rena Ramey
  • Sheryl Stewart
  • Elizabeth Swaner
  • Laurie Taylor
  • Peter Tolhuizen
  • David Wood

2001 Award Winners

  • Nancy Barkel
  • Bhajan Singh Chehal
  • Susan Fixler
  • Chad Gilliland
  • Caroline Keller
  • Melanie Martin
  • Daniel McKay
  • Maurice Norman
  • Patti Rawlins
  • Sarah Thompson

2000 Award Winners​

  • Linda Armstrong
  • Laney Arndt
  • Amy Barstow
  • Jenny Bernard
  • Anne Crumpacker
  • Elizabeth Danby
  • Glenda Holmes
  • Julie Horn
  • Janelle Lindley

1999 Award Winners

  • Lou Anthony
  • Michael Brashear
  • Rhonda Bernard
  • Suzanne Gibson
  • Rosalie Henderson
  • Rosemarie House
  • Trish Jones
  • Melanie Yungelas

1998 Award Winners

  • Sharon Jones
  • Marjorie Kleinneiur
  • Marilyn Lokken
  • Lynda Marstaller
  • Lucy Mavrokordatos
  • Jay Wurter
  • Janet Paderewski
  • Lisa Pittman
  • Joanne Terry
  • Yvonne Vandiver

1997 Award Winners

  • Jerry Brumbaugh
  • Jane Campbell
  • Mauri Capps
  • Margaret Davidson
  • Kimberly Engleson
  • Mollie Franklin
  • Laura Taylor
  • Martha Travis

1996 Award Winners

  • Eileen Herman Frious
  • Ruth Kurtis
  • Nancy Poynter
  • Dreama Rosenkrans
  • Susie Towber
  • Elaine Yenne

1995 Award Winners

  • Reta Bukin
  • Shelley Drury
  • Mark Elliott
  • Cynthia Erdei
  • Cynthia Glover
  • Carol S. Hendricks
  • Sandra Kerley
  • Nancy Kubasek
  • Cassandra Wheelis

1994 Award Winners

  • Dotti Anderson
  • Glenda J. Casey
  • Nancy Evans
  • Catherine D. Irby
  • Sally Keener
  • Cindy Montgomery
  • Barbara Sutton
  • Maggie Whitt

1993 Award Winners

  • Mary H. Allen
  • Kirk Beard
  • Sallie Bell Jackson Loop
  • Joni McCafferty
  • Debby Murphy
  • Rebecca R. Rivers
  • Joli P. Stewart
  • Anne Homan Vincent Ph.D.

1992 Award Winners

  • Janie Allen
  • Jean Blaydes
  • Jan Clark
  • Mary C. Howard
  • Carole C. Kilduff
  • Beth Parker
  • Stephen Simms
  • Richard L. Taylor

1991 Award Winners

  • Jobob Aanenson
  • Ann Ables
  • Betty Dunham
  • John Feekin
  • Judy Fessenden
  • Darla Hodge
  • Mary C. Raiden
  • Carol Wickstrom

1990 Award Winners

  • Dave Casey
  • Melanie Cottam
  • Janice P. Longino
  • Kitty Loughridge
  • Carolyn Mecalf
  • Linda Pratt
  • Anita Schaezler
  • Barbara N. Thompson

1989 Award Winners​

  • Gaye Benson
  • Jamie Brown
  • Cynthia Loftis Burns
  • Karen Hairston
  • Bob Nelson
  • Sue Reese
  • Barbara Reeves
  • Margie Shepard
  • Scott Lee Taylor

1988 Award Winners

  • Gaitha A. Castleman
  • Donna R. DeMoss
  • Lisa M. Haines
  • Michael E. O’Hern
  • B. Sue Passmore
  • Debbie K. Schrader
  • Linda K. Teeple

1987 Award Winners

  • Jeannie Allen
  • Julie Cook
  • Rachael Paubion
  • Mary B. Jones Haines
  • Jo Ann Patton

1986 Award Winners

  • Tom Bennett
  • Katha Black
  • Maria Conroy
  • Lisa Grinsfelder
  • Robert Luedtke
  • Nancy Mayes
  • Kathy Williams

1985 Award Winners

  • Shirley Breden
  • Abraham Castellano
  • M. Jane Haltom
  • Prilla P. Isdale
  • Carole Lieving
  • Susan Snodgrass
  • Marilyn D. Wright

1984 Award Winners

  • Betty Aday
  • Joseph L. Frank
  • Thomas David Patton
  • Leon Schram
  • Dorothy Sherwood
  • Charles J. Strack III
  • Carol Vanderslice

1983 Award Winners

  • Jo Allen
  • Laura Alverson
  • Ida Christensen
  • Joan Cooper
  • Lynne Jackson
  • Jess Kirkley
  • Kay Reynolds
  • Marilyn M. Wallace

1982 Award Winners

  • David B. Hayden
  • Freda Hawkins
  • Barry L. Horn
  • Gail Nobles
  • Catheryn Ann Steel

1981 Award Winners

  • Mary J. Bartlett
  • Carole A. Buchanan
  • Michael Davis
  • Lucretia Duncan
  • Gay Lynn Millerman
  • Mike Murphy
  • Alma Lorraine O’Neal
  • Amy D. Sims
  • Elizabeth Gold Willis
  • Betty Ann Wonderly

1980 Award Winners

  • Dorothy Biggs
  • Carroll Brooks
  • Mary Daughety
  • Jo Anna Dunn
  • Molly French
  • D. Ann Jones Gorman
  • Mary Catherine Jones
  • Sammie Whitesides-Clay

1979 Award Winners

  • Robert Floyd
  • Florrie Herman
  • Mary Maxwell Russell
  • Gloria Snyder

1978 Award Winners

  • Bruce Baird
  • Joyce Chritton
  • Sandy Kon
  • Cathy Miller
  • Jo Roberts
  • Jimmy C. Stephens
  • Judith Sutcliff
  • Cindy Taylor
  • Jo Weaver
Tabitha Branum

Tabitha Branum

Superintendent
tabitha.branum@risd.org
469-593-0401
Tabitha Branum Bio

Mike Jasso

Mike Jasso

Chief of Staff
michael.jasso@risd.org
469-593-0250
Chris Goodson

Dr. Chris Goodson

Assistant Superintendent
of Human Resources
christopher.goodson@risd.org
469-593-0254

Kristin Byno

Dr. Kristin Leeper

Assistant Superintendent
of Teaching & Learning kristin.leeper@risd.org
469-593-0281
Matthew Gibbins

Dr. Matthew Gibbins

Assistant Superintendent
of Administrative Services
matthew.gibbins@risd.org
469-593-0280

Sandra Hayes

Sandra Hayes

Assistant Superintendent
of District Operations
sandra.hayes@risd.org
469-593-0377

David Pate

David Pate

Assistant Superintendent
of Finance and Support Services
david.pate@risd.org
469-593-0331

henry hall

Henry Hall

Assistant Superintendent
of Technology
henry.hall@risd.org
469-593-0840

Leticia Mcgowan

Leticia D. McGowan

General Counsel
leticia.mcgowan@risd.org
469-593-0341

Melissa Heller

Dr. Melissa Heller

Assistant Superintendent
of Strategy and Engagement
melissa.heller@risd.org
469-593-0301