On Tuesday, Texas Parent Teacher Association announced the recipients for the 2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year Awards. Among 400 nominations at the elementary, secondary and district level, Reilly Elementary Principal Corrine Saenz has been selected as this year’s Elementary Principal of the Year.

“The PTA is the collaborative spirit that brings our school community together to provide our students with the best educational opportunities,” said Principal Saenz. “As the principal one of the best practices of my job is working with all stakeholders to develop a cohesive effort to bring the vision of our school to reality for our students. I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition and share this celebration with every Reilly student, teacher and staff, parent and community partner.“

Each year, Texas PTA requests nominations for outstanding educators in PTA schools. Texas PTA recognizes outstanding educators whose work embodies the association’s mission, enhances student learning environments, and directly involves students’ parents and families in their school life. 

For the 2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year Awards program, nominations are received from across the state. Award selections were made in the spring. After a careful review process, award recipient selections were based on both the nomination and nominee profile.

Saenz’s nomination reads in part:
“From a PTA perspective, she has done a great job of communicating when and where the PTA could come in and help during this pandemic. She has not only fought for our kids, but for their entire families. Early in the pandemic she led an effort to fundraise and provide food and funds for families in our Reilly community that needed it. She is a champion of diversity and inclusion and has made sure that every student, parent and teacher feels welcome at our school.”

Saenz joins her fellow 2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year Award recipients:

• Superintendent of the Year: Michelle McCord, Frenship ISD
• Elementary Teacher of the Year: Samantha Pettit, Mansfield ISD
• Secondary Principal of the Year: Michael Curl, Humble ISD
• Secondary Teacher of the Year: Teresa Cuellar, Harlingen ISD

Saenz and her fellow award recipients have been invited to attend the Talk of Texas Luncheon on July 31, 2022, during Texas PTA’s annual convention in Grapevine. During this event, the award recipients will be recognized for their achievements in front of some of their biggest PTA supporters.

For more information on the nomination process, visit www.txpta.org/share-the-love. Texas PTA’s statewide presence is made up of 517,000 members. Its mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.