Royal ISD hosted its annual Teacher of the Year & Special Awards Gala to honor the educators and staff who go above and beyond in serving our students. The event celebrated campus Teachers of the Year, the district’s Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Falcon Spotlight Award recipients, and other special recognitions.
The evening was made even more special thanks to the generous support of our valued event partners. Each played a vital role in helping us recognize and uplift the heart of Royal ISD—our incredible team.
Thank you to our 2025 Gala Partners:
Visionary: Stantec
Champion: BVSCU, Next Level Urgent Care
Leader: Gallagher Construction Company, PBK Architects, Stellar Bank
Inspire: Higginbotham, Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott LLP
Friend: Eyes On Me/Hangar, Vargas Agency
Spotlight: Buller Photography, Katy Times
Your partnership is an investment in our educators, our students, and our shared future.
Name | Award | Campus/Department |
Alicia Russo-Murrell | Teacher of The Year | Royal High School |
Enjolie Jarjoura-Espinoza | Teacher of The Year | Royal Junior High |
Vanessa Ortega | Teacher of The Year | Royal STEM Academy |
Christy Andrews | Teacher of The Year | Royal Elementary School |
Kristy Young | Teacher of The Year | Royal Early Childhood Center |
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J'Mal Stewart | Rookie of the Year | Royal High School |
Taylor Duncan | Rookie of the Year | Royal Junior High |
Jor'Dann Hughes | Rookie of the Year | Royal STEM Academy |
Blakleye Goer | Rookie of the Year | Royal Elementary School |
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Sandra Benavidez | Paraprofessional of the Year | Royal High School |
Mi-Eashia Stamps | Paraprofessional of the Year | Royal Junior High School |
Delia Hutcherson | Paraprofessional of the Year | Royal STEM Academy |
Valerie Chavez-Rodriguez | Paraprofessional of the Year | Royal Elementary School |
Yajaira Salazar | Paraprofessional of the Year | Royal Early Childhood Center |
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Ann Keener | Transportation | Transportation |
Duc Tran | Technology | Technology |
Danielle Johnson | Maintenance/Grounds | Maintenance & Operations |
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Patricia Aguilera | Central Office Support | Teaching & Learning |
Giselle Castorena | AP of the Year | Royal Early Childhood Center |
Jacqueline Lewis | Counselor of the Year | Royal High School |
Damaris Schelmetty | Instructional Support of the Year | Teaching & Learning |
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Katacha Miller | Region 4 Principal Recognition | Royal Early Childhood Center |
Alicia Russo-Murrell | Region 4 Secondary Teacher Recognition | Royal High School |
Kristy Young | Region 4 Primary Teacher Recognition | Royal Early Childhood Center |
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Erica Abanathy | 20 Years of Service | Royal High School |
Kathy Randall | 20 Years of Service | Royal Early Childhood Center |
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Marilyn Vaughn | Retiree - 24 years at RISD | Royal ISD Police Department |
Denise Alcover | Retiree - 6 Years at RISD | Royal Elementary School |