Kristin Jennings, a fourth-grade science and social studies teacher at College Park Elementary School, and Sarah Kotasek, who teaches 11th grade U.S. History and AP Macroeconomics at La Porte High School, were named the 2026-27 District Teachers of the Year at the May 7 La Porte ISD Service Awards celebration at Bulldog Centre. 

Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson announced their selection following recognition of all La Porte ISD Campus Teachers of the Year. The Rotary Club of La Porte presented each of the District Teachers of the Year with a check for $8,000. 

Prior to the announcement of the district Teachers of the Year, principals escorted their respective campus Teachers of the Year to the stage as brief bios on each were read. 

Other elementary honorees and their respective schools are: 

Perla Pena, Bayshore Elementary 
Jessica Serrano, Heritage Elementary 
Brynna Gonzales, Lomax Elementary 
Samantha Beasley, Jennie Reid Elementary 
Haley Gibson, Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary 

Other secondary honorees are:  

Christina Davidson, James H. Baker Sixth Grade 
Kelsey Ramirez, Secondary DAEP 
Hope Carmichael, Lomax Jr. High 
Melissa Hernandez, Academy of Viola DeWalt 
Elisha Thompson, La Porte High School (non-core areas) 

Zachary Gilbreath, a teacher at La Porte High School, was named the district’s Rookie Teacher of the Year. For only the second time in the history of the awards, the Rookie Teacher of the Year received a $1,000 check from Higginbotham. Maria Guerra, principal of Leo A. Rizzuto Elementary School, and Tremayne Wickliffe, principal of The Academy of Viola DeWalt High School, were also recognized as the district’s Elementary and Secondary Principals of the Year, respectively. 

With their selection as district superlatives, Jennings and Kotasek will advance to the Region 4 Teacher of the Year competition.  

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