Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury NBISD’s superintendent, awarded trophies while NBISD Chief Communications and Technology Officer Matt Jones was the event’s MC.

NBISD Director of Communications Michelle Harwood provided descriptions of the awards and invited supervisors and cabinet members to announce the winners.

Two new awards were added to this year’s ceremony – the Librarian of the Year and the School Resource Officer of the Year – which went to Amanda Hunt of Oak Run Middle School and Coty Butcher of New Braunfels High School.

The Excellence Awards winners were based on nominations from fellow employees throughout the district. Community members were also able to nominate employees this year for the first time ever. There were more than 400 nominations submitted.

Awards that were announced as surprises during the ceremony included the Duane Trujillo Commitment to Children Award and the Elementary and Secondary District Teachers of the Year.

Duane Trujillo Commitment to Children Award

The Duane Trujillo Commitment to Children Award is one of the most prestigious awards announced during the NBISD Excellence Awards.

This year’s Trujillo award went to Christopher Russell, Lamar Elementary School Principal, who has served NBISD for nearly 20 years and was a dear friend of Mr. Trujillo.

The Duane Trujillo Commitment to Children Award is named after former Carl Schurz Principal Duane Trujillo, who passed away in 2022. Trujillo spent 17 years with NBISD, working at multiple campuses. Trujillo embodied the mission, vision and core beliefs of NBISD.

He showed devotion, commitment and compassion to the students of NBISD and was a role model for others. His commitment to the children of our school district was unmatched.Cynthia Trujillo, Duane’s wife, presented the award to Russell as NBISD Superintendent Dr. Laurlyn Arterbury made the announcement.

“Chris has a big personality and we know that Duane would be ecstatic that his dear friend is sharing this honor,” Arterbury said. “He has demonstrated dedication, persistence and love for all students as Duane did for so many years in NBISD. He truly embodies everything the Duane Trujillo Commitment to Children award stands for.”

NBISD District Teachers of the Year

NBISD has selected Sarah Stephens of Seele Elementary as the District’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, while Long Creek High School’s Chasity Chapa Camero was honored as the Secondary Teacher of the year.

A selection committee selected these outstanding teachers for the district honors after judging their essay applications and conducting in-person interviews.

Both recipients will compete at the regional level this summer with hopes of ultimately being named Texas Teacher of the Year.

Elementary Teacher of the Year – Sarah Stephens

Seele staff and community said: Mrs. Stephens is one of the most hard working and gifted teachers I have known. Her classroom environment is amazing, her academic achievements with students are shown by her data, and she builds positive relationships with all her students. She is so good at walking students through situations to build their social and emotional skills. Mrs. Stephens is one of the most phenomenal teachers we have ever had! We respect and admire Mrs. Stephens and her investment in our students, and her commitment and passion

Secondary Teacher of the Year – Chastity Chapa Camero

The LCHS Administration Team had this to say about Camero: “Mrs. Camero is the epitome of professionalism. Despite teaching four distinct classes, leading the CTE department and student organizations, and also managing the LCHS social media accounts, she remains calm under pressure, consistently positive, and always willing to support her team. Her students feel safe, valued, and deeply respected by her, while faculty and staff hold her in equally high regard for her dedication and leadership.”

Award winners from the evening included:

Auxiliary Employee of the Year

Daniel Gray, New Braunfels High School

Bus Driver of the Year

Kyle Cornell, Transportation

Administrative Support Employee of the Year

Gracie Salas, Veramendi Elementary

Instructional Aide of the Year

Sandra Halliburton, Seele Elementary

Paraprofessional of the Year

Marla Ferlet, New Braunfels High School

Substitute of the Year

Analissa Thompson, Districtwide Substitute

Professional of the Year

Marty Lenard, Ph.D., Administration Center

Instructional Support Employee of the Year

Edwin Braun, Technology

Nurse of the Year

Cheri Polk, BSN, RN, New Braunfels High School

Counselor of the Year

Darren Harvick, Carl Schurz Elementary

SRO of the Year

Coty Butcher, New Braunfels High School

Librarian of the Year

Amanda Hunt, Oak Run Middle School

Fine Arts Employee of the Year

Alexandra Kelly, Carl Schurz Elementary

Coach of the Year

Adam Harvey, Long Creek High School

Assistant Principal of the Year

Jacquelyn Winters, Walnut Springs Elementary

Principal of the Year

Christopher Russell, Lamar Elementary

Rising Star – Elementary

Lisa Palacios, Carl Schurz Elementary

Rising Star – Secondary

Matthew Allen, Long Creek High School

Campus Teachers of the Year

Gabriella Guerrero, Carl Schurz Elementary

Brittnay Clark, County Line Elementary

Amanda Garza, Klein Road Elementary

Stacie Williamson, Lamar Elementary

Carla Bryan, Lone Star Early Childhood Center

Alisha Stults, Memorial Elementary

Sarah Stephens, Seele Elementary

Kirsten Ruiz, Veramendi Elementary

Cassidy Elliott, Voss Farms Elementary

Erik Woods, Walnut Springs Elementary

Marisol Padilla, New Braunfels High School

Chasity Chapa Camero, Long Creek High School

Merry Balcar, New Braunfels Middle School

Katelynn Wasson, Oak Run Middle School

Peter Morin, Two Rivers High School

Photos of from the event are available for download on the NBISD Photo Gallery.