Heroes for Children Award

The State Board of Education established the Heroes for Children award program in 1994. The award is designed to recognize excellence in advocacy for education and to highlight the many outstanding volunteers whose efforts represent significant contributions to public school education in Texas.

Since its beginning, the award has provided a means to recognize Texas residents who render selfless acts of service by offering their time, effort, and support to public schools and students. The award honors volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to student learning or who have demonstrated sustained periods of involvement and support of public education. Each year, the 15-member Board recognizes one Hero from each of their districts. The Heroes for Children award recipients are honored at the September SBOE meeting.   

Nomination Information:

Any Texas resident who gives time, effort, service, and support to public schools and students, except for elected officials and educational employees, can be nominated for the Heroes for Children award.

To nominate someone, completely fill out the Heroes for Children nomination form. Include all pertinent information, including an essay from the nominee and another essay from the nominator. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Review the nomination form for completeness before submitting. After selecting "Submit", you should receive the following message: "Thank You!" Your submission has been received. You should also receive a copy of your submission form through the nominator's email address. If you do not receive the message and a copy of your submission form, please resubmit your nomination form.

The nomination period for the 2023 Heroes for Children award is TBD.

It is common to find award recipients who have volunteered hundreds, and sometimes thousands of hours to their local public schools. Others have been instrumental in helping to pass district bond proposals. The State Board of Education is proud to have recognized a number of volunteers who have worked unselfishly to help Texas students and their public schools.

2022 Heroes for Children Award Recipients

(Top row, left to right): District 14 Elizabeth Chase-Copperas Cove ISD; District 8 Tonia Jaeggi-Cypress-Fairbanks ISD; District 13 Elsa Munoz-Irving ISD (represented by Liesl Payne); District 12 Jill Beitel-Prosper ISD; District 11 Ken Kuhl-Fort Worth ISD; District 10 Carolyn Holubec-Thrall ISD; District 9 Thomas (Tab) Beall-Tyler ISD
(Bottom row, left to right): District 15 Betty Lyon-Morton ISD; District 7 Barbara Franklin-Brazosport ISD; District 6 Lauren Dougherty-Klein ISD; District 5 Melinda Cox-North East ISD; District 4 Rosalinda Ortiz-Galena Park ISD; District 3 Jason Mims-San Antonio ISD; District 2 Esmeralda Guerrero-Mission CISD (not in picture); District 1 Deborah McReynolds-Ector County ISD

Meet the 2022 Hero Recipients

• 2022 Hero Recipients 
  • Heroes for Children Slide Show (PDF, 5 MB)

Heroes for Children- Past Recipients

• 2021 Hero Recipients 
  • Heroes for Children Slide Show (PDF, 16 KB)
• 2020 Hero Recipients
  • Heroes for Children Slide Show (PDF, 18 MB)
• 2019 Hero Recipients
• 2018 Hero Recipients
• 2017 Hero Recipients

For more information, contact heroes@tea.texas.gov or call (512) 463-9007.