As the 2025-2026 school year came to a close, cheers and celebrations took place across the district as staff members were presented with employee awards and service pins.
Employees with milestone years of service were awarded with longevity pins during a breakfast celebration. Retirees were thanked for their service with a commemorative plaque and rocking chair.
On Tuesday, May 19, the Administration Building hosted a special celebratory luncheon to celebrate our Heart of Azle award recipients, Teachers of the Year, and our Retirees.
Each campus teacher of the year was presented with a $500 check from the Azle Education Foundation.
Two outstanding educators were named District Teachers of the Year:
District Elementary Teacher of the Year: Brett Tarpley (Hilltop Elementary)
District Secondary Teacher of the Year: Jason McDonald (Azle High School)
Thanks to our amazing community partners, they each received a $1,000 continuting education grant from the Azle Education Foundation, a $500 check from the AEF, and a $250 check from EECU. They will also represent Azle ISD in the Region 11 Teacher of the Year contest.
Six Azle ISD employees were honored with the Heart of Azle award. This special recognition is dedicated to individuals who truly embody a servant’s heart—the leaders who consistently go above and beyond the call of duty to support our students, staff, parents, and community. Each Heart of Azle recipient received a beautiful district award and $50 in cash courtesy of EECU.
Congratulations, Hornets! View photos from the luncheon on Facebook.
2025-26 Heart of Azle Recipients
· Michelle Bond, Hilltop Elementary
· Stace Bowen, Azle Junior High
· Michelle Chairez, Hoover Elementary
· Becky Ledbetter, Forte Junior High
· Joanna Reasoner, Eagle Heights Elementary
· Kate Townsley, Admin./PEIMS
2025-26 Campus Teachers of the Year
· Azle High School – Jason McDonald
· Azle Junior High – Brandy Waller
· Forte Junior High – Terrell Hawkins
· Azle Elementary – Kali Uglow
· Cross Timbers Elementary – Nadine DeTarville
· Eagle Heights Elementary – Mayra Zurita
· Hilltop Elementary – Brett Tarpley
· Hoover Elementary – Holly Auvenshine
· Liberty Elementary – Brooklynn Krenek Gonzales
· Silver Creek Elementary – Shannon Schilke
· Walnut Creek Elementary – Sarah Towb
2025-26 Campus Paraprofessionals of the Year
· Azle High School – Amanda Creamer
· Azle Junior High – Cassie Danagher
· Forte Junior High – Christina Flores
· Azle Elementary – Rosalinda Garcia-Escalera
· Cross Timbers Elementary – Kalyb Brown
· Eagle Heights Elementary – Samantha Gassen
· Hilltop Elementary – Lilah Mendoza
· Hoover Elementary – Mandi Ortiz
· Liberty Elementary – Jodi Waters
· Silver Creek Elementary – Alisha Cole
· Walnut Creek Elementary – Katrina Pugh
2025-26 Retirees
Matt Adams, Admin. - 32 Years in Education, 7 in Azle
William Manley, Admin. - 30 Years in Education, 8 in Azle
David Oestreicher, Admin. - 20 Years in Education, 2 in Azle
Shaunary Feller, AE - 28 Years in Education, 26 in Azle
Koan Bice, AHS - 29 Years in Education, 29 in Azle
Christy Brewer, AHS - 22 Years in Education, 10 in Azle
LouAnn Burnham, AHS - 37 Years in Education, 37 in Azle
Nela Foster, AHS - 25 Years in Education, 5 in Azle
Christine Hardee, AHS - 28 Years in Education, 4 in Azle
James Leonard, AHS - 32 Years in Education, 9 in Azle
Cathy Markham, AHS - 20 Years in Education, 20 in Azle
Delinda Wisdom, AHS - 19 Years in Education, 16 in Azle
Connie Wood, AHS - 23 Years in Education, 21 in Azle
Tamie Davis, AJH - 30 Years in Education, 30 in Azle
Kelley Ditmore, AJH - 29 Years in Education, 22 in Azle
Rodney Morris, AJH - 14 Years in Education, 4 in Azle
Nancy Brann, FJH - 20 Years in Education, 20 in Azle
Kyle Fonville, FJH - 29 Years in Education, 29 in Azle
Angela Burns, CT - 30 Years in Education, 8 in Azle
David Mowery, DAEP - 40 Years in Education, 30 in Azle
Maria Bazan, EH - 18 Years in Education, 18 in Azle
Stacy Boenisch, EH - 30 Years in Education, 30 in Azle
Kerri Crawford, EH - 22 Years in Education, 22 in Azle
Sharon Geisler, HT - 16 Years in Education, 5 in Azle
Cheryl Abbott, HE - 27 Years in Education, 17 in Azle
Joni Bettis, HE - 30 Years in Education, 29 in Azle
Angela Cuppett, LE - 29 Years in Education, 11 in Azle
Tammy Fisher, LE - 18 Years in Education, 18 in Azle
Terri Ramsey, LE - 22 Years in Education, 3 in Azle
Sherry Bice, Maint./Custodial - 33 Years in Education, 33 in Azle
David Ervin, Maint. - 20 Years in Education, 20 in Azle
Kim Collins, Sp. Ed. - 19 Years in Education, 9 in Azle
Lenora Koerner-Vigil, Sp. Ed. - 18 Years in Education, 13 in Azle
Debra Pryor, Sp. Ed. - 29 Years in Education, 3 in Azle
Elizabeth Taylor, Transportation - 17 Years in Education, 5 in Azle
Becky Marchand, WC - 44 Years in Education, 42 in Azle
Brenda Riley, WC - 26 Years in Education, 26 in Azle