On May 6, 17 extraordinary San Antonio teachers were awarded the prestigious Trinity Prize in Teaching. First awarded in 1982, the prize is widely recognized across districts and schools as a tremendous honor for individuals and a collective call for professional recognition of educators and Pre-K-12 and post-secondary education in our city and region.
This year’s in-person event featured the honorees’ respective school principals and district superintendents. The National Teacher of the Year, Juliana Urtubey, spoke and the event partner—Whataburger—and Trinity’s undergraduate and graduate students were in attendance. Additionally, the ceremony was livestreamed for the teachers’ school campuses, district offices, and families and friends.
The winners of this year’s prize received a Tiffany Crystal Apple as a gift from the University and the Office of President Danny Anderson. In addition, they received from Whataburger a $500 cash prize, a $250 Amazon gift card for a student organization or effort of their selection at their school or in the community that supports diversity and inclusion in education, and a Whataburger gift basket, including Whataburger for a year. The Department of Education and Center for Educational Leadership awarded an additional $150 Amazon gift card for classroom supplies.
One recipient, Rebecca Roberts, is a Pre-K through 4th grade teacher at Woodlake Elementary in Judson ISD. She says, “I became a teacher because teachers are where all other jobs and careers begin, and I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I feel honored to be a part of the community that helps to continue to make the world a better place.”
2022 Trinity Prize in Teaching Excellence Honorees
Julie Allen-Ruiz
Ft. Sam Houston Independent School District
Ft. Sam Houston Elementary
Subject: Pre-Kindergarten
Kristy Archibald
Lackland Independent School District
Lackland Elementary
Subject: Kindergarten
Kristin Ashley
Winston School San Antonio
Subject: Lower School (Reading, Language Arts and Math)
Terrena Bernal
Southside Independent School District
Heritage Elementary School
Subject: 5th grade STEAM
Christen Cozart
San Antonio Independent School District
Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Subject: U.S. History
Heidi Curry
North East Independent School District
Driscoll Middle School
Subject: Science and PALS
Shalonda Davis
Comal Independent School District
Canyon High School
Subject: Science and Student Leadership
Judy Hudson
Northside Independent School District
Dr. Linda G. Mora Elementary
Subject: Music
Regina Kazmir
Edgewood Independent School District
Las Palmas Leadership School for Girls
Subject: Music
Clarissa Kretz
Harlandale Independent School District
Stonewall Flanders Elementary & Fenley Center
Subject: Instructional Support
Roger Lawson
East Central Independent School District
Oak Crest Elementary
Subject: Math, Science, and Social Studies
Alejandra Martinez
Alamo Heights Independent School District
Cambridge Elementary
Subject: Spanish
David Padilla
South San Antonio Independent School District
Dwight Middle School
Subject: STEM
Rebecca Roberts
Judson Independent School District
Woodlake Elementary
Subject: Pre-K through 4th teacher
Julie Schanberger
Southwest Independent School District
Southwest High School
Subject: Physics
Heather Strable
Randolph Field Independent School District
Randolph Elementary
Subject: Kindergarten
Rachel Trimmer
Somerset Independent School District
Somerset Junior High
Subject: Science
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