Austin ISD staff members, families and community members can show support for their favorite teachers by nominating them for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

The awards celebrate public school professionals whose leadership and dedication inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.

With more than $800,000 in cash prizes awarded annually to deserving teachers, principals, school districts and early childhood facilities, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards is the largest monetary recognition program for educators in Texas and one of the largest in the nation.

The program awards teachers in four categories:

• Rising Star Award: Less than 10 years of classroom experience. One elementary and one secondary teacher will each receive a $5,000 cash prize plus a $5,000 grant for his/her school.
• Leadership Award: 10 to 20 years of classroom experience. One elementary and one secondary teacher will each receive a $10,000 cash prize plus a $10,000 grant for his/her school.
• Lifetime Achievement Award: More than 20 years of classroom experience. One elementary and one secondary teacher will each receive a $25,000 cash prize plus a $25,000 grant for his/her school.
• 30 regional finalists will be awarded $1,000 each plus $1,000 for their schools. 

To nominate an AISD teacher, click here. To learn more about the grants, visit the Excellence in Education Awards website.

H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas. A major goal of the Excellence in Education awards is to make a statement about the great things going on in Texas public schools — to spotlight best practices and to celebrate the work of Texas educators.