H-E-B announced the statewide winners for the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards during a ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Houston on Sunday, May 3rd and New Braunfels High School teacher Kevin Korpi came home with the secondary lifetime achievement award. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers received $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.

Memorial Elementary counselor Courtney Allison was also recognized at the ceremony as a finalist for the Counselor of the Year award.

H-E-B awarded $480,000 in cash and grants to six teachers, two counselors, two principals, one early childhood facility, one public school board and two school districts. Since 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program has awarded almost $15 million in funding to educators who go the extra mile to serve their students and their communities. 

Emmy, Critics Choice, and Independent Spirit Award Winner Sheryl Lee Ralph delivered the keynote address to hundreds of educators and community leaders. Ralph can currently be seen starring on ABC’s hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary,” where she plays veteran kindergarten teacher Barbara Howard. Her message set the tone for the evening, as H-E-B recognized the outstanding educators whose work reflects that same commitment, care and impact in classrooms across Texas.

“In every corner of Texas, educators are guiding students through a rapidly changing world while helping them build confidence, curiosity and a sense of possibility,” Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs, said. “At a time when the role of public education is more important than ever, we are proud to recognize these exceptional leaders who are strengthening not only their classrooms, but their communities and the future of our state.”

Judging Process

 Each year, H-E-B announces a statewide call for nominations and applications to recognize outstanding educators in Texas. Educators can be nominated for an award by community members throughout the state, or they can apply directly. Nominees are sent invitations to complete an online application.

For the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards, students in the Department of Education from Texas State University and Trinity University reviewed all applications and narrowed them down to semi-finalists. Five regional judging panels including school administrators, community leaders and former winners selected 50 teacher, principal and counselor finalists. These individuals received the news they were finalists from H-E-B representatives during surprise visits to their schools earlier this year. A statewide panel of judges interviewed these finalists on May 2 to determine winners.

Three separate judging panels selected five early childhood facilities, five school boards, and eight school district finalists. Site visits were conducted to determine the winners in these categories.

Call for 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards Nominations

Nominations for the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are now open to all state-certified public school professionals currently working in Texas. Teachers, counselors, principals, early childhood centers, school boards and districts can win cash prizes for their outstanding work. Nominations will close on September 30, 2026.

Nominate your favorite Texas educator at heblovesteachers.com/nominate. 

About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Each year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program awards cash prizes to honor outstanding public school professionals, and to thank them for their dedication and commitment. Through this program, H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, H-E-B has awarded almost $15 million in funding to outstanding Texas teachers, counselors, principals, public schools, early childhood centers, school boards and school districts. A longtime supporter of public education, H-E-B answers the call by donating more than $12 million each year to Texas education initiatives.

 To learn more, visit HEBLovesTeachers.com.