Sponsors of the Birdville ISD Teacher of the Year Gala included IN2 Architecture, Inc. and HKS Architects as Golden Sponsors, the Birdville Education Foundation as a Silver Sponsor, Texan Graduation Supply - Herff Jones, INSURICA, VLK Architects and Bob and Susan Griggs as a Bronze Sponsor, Fort Worth Community Credit Union, Five Star Ford, Brio Direct, EECU and VLK Architects as a Stargazer Sponsor, and Tito and Sue Rodriguez as Partner Sponsors. City partnerships included North Richland Hills, Richland Hills and Watauga.

For a few hours on Thursday night, the Birdville ISD Plaza was transformed into a scene of timeless elegance, as the glow of celebration set the stage for the annual BISD Teacher of the Year Gala. 

The room was filled with applause, proud families, and stories of lives changed through the power of teaching as nearly 400 educators, campus leaders, and community members gathered to honor some of BISD’s most impactful, outstanding teachers. The evening served as a celebration of the moments that often define the profession – the encouragement that changes a student’s confidence, the consistency that builds trust, and the relationships that leave a lasting impact long after students leave the classroom. 

Representing campuses across the district, this year’s Campus Teachers of the Year were recognized for their commitment to academic excellence and the meaningful connections they build with students each day. BISD’s Campus Teachers of the Year included: 

Binion Elementary – Crystal Cummings

Birdville Elementary– Tammy Japhet

Cheney Hills Elementary – Lacresha Jackson 

Foster Village Elementary – Kathy LeDoux

Green Valley Elementary – Beth Mann

Hardeman Elementary – Calli DeJarnett

Holiday Heights Elementary – Stephanie Carney

Mullendore Elementary – Jennifer Robertson

North Ridge Elementary – Emily Sauerwein

Porter Elementary – Samantha Lofton

Smith Elementary – "Michaelann" (Samantha) Wood

Smithfield Elementary – Isabella "Bella" Neff

Snow Heights Elementary – Kelly Lebsock 

Spicer Elementary – Alexsus Risher

Stowe Elementary – Marthann White

Thomas Elementary – Kendall Chamberlain

Walker Creek Elementary – Stacy Winans

Watauga Elementary – Cecilia Vinogradov

West Birdville Elementary – Velvet Sloan

Haltom Middle – Marilyxiann Torres-Thompson

North Oaks Middle – Holly Hoskins

North Richland Middle – Kerri Woodall

North Ridge Middle – Brandy Hickman

Richland Middle – Christine Hy

Smithfield Middle – Allison Rose

Watauga Middle – Colleen Zitzman

Birdville High – Kirk Mansfield

Haltom High – Lisa Sandoval

Richland High – Lamar Kirk

BCTAL – Haylee Boyle

Griggs High – Sherri Holt

Collegiate Academy of Birdville – Todd Diehl

Kunkel Specialized Learning Center – Lauren White

DAEP – Catherine Eck

The annual Teacher of the Year Gala, now in its 26th year, remains one of the district’s most meaningful traditions, bringing together educators and families to celebrate the work that often happens quietly — in one-on-one conversations, moments of encouragement, and daily acts of care that shape student success. All of the BISD Teachers of the Year received gifts from local partners including the Birdville Education Foundation, city of Richland Hills, Chick-fil-A, TCP Catering, Heavenly Crust and Andy’s Frozen Custard.

From this year’s distinguished group of campus honorees, Calli DeJarnett of Hardeman Elementary School was named the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Sherri Holt of Griggs High School was named the district’s Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Birdville ISD congratulates all 2026 Campus Teachers of the Year and celebrates the lasting impact they make in classrooms, on campuses, and in the lives of students every day. Thank you for all that you do!