San Angelo ISD proudly celebrated the achievements of its staff and educators during the 2024-2025 Employees of the Year and Teachers of the Year ceremonies held on March 7, 2025 at the Austin Professional Learning Center. These back-to-back celebrations recognized the dedication and hard work of those who make a profound impact on the students of SAISD.

The events honored an array of outstanding employees across various categories, including the Substitute Teachers of the Year; New to the Profession Employee of the Year; Instructional and Non-Instructional Support Employees of the Year; Custodial Employee of the Year; Maintenance and Grounds Employee of the Year; Transportation Employee of the Year; Champion of Literacy; School Resource Officer of the Year; campus Teachers of the Year; and overall district Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. SAISD is proud and honored by the service of all of this year's special award recipients. 

Celebrating District Employees of the Year

San Angelo ISD is proud to announce our district Employees of the Year. Fourteen exemplary staff members were nominated by their peers and honored for their outstanding contributions. These individuals have made an undeniable impact in their roles and continue to make a difference for students, families, and colleagues alike.

“Every employee in our district plays a crucial part in ensuring students receive the best education and school experience every day,” said Dr. Jason Skelton, SAISD Executive Director of Human Resources. “Many of these positions and employees are never seen by the students, but their work remains important to the SAISD school system. We are so proud of our SAISD honorees and thrilled to celebrate the outstanding things they and all our employees do for our students.” 

San Angelo ISD’s Employees of the Year include:

Secondary Teacher of the Year: Jenny Sanders, Glenn Middle School Elementary Teacher of the Year: Lynne Springer, Santa Rita Elementary  Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Vanessa Lee, Lone Star Middle School Non-Instructional Support Employee of the Year: Tiffany Ortega, Bowie Elementary Child Nutrition Employee of the Year: Richard Joiner Custodial Employee of the Year: David Cuellar Maintenance and Grounds Employee of the Year: Joe Camarena, Grounds Supervisor Transportation Employee of the Year: Ernest Collett, Bus Driver New to the Profession Employee of the Year: Justin Doan, Central High School Champion of Literacy: Dorinda Jones, Instructional Coach – Elementary Reading, Language Arts High School Substitute Teacher of the Year: Delanie Irvine Middle School Substitute Teacher of the Year: Christian Burd Elementary School Substitute Teacher of the Year: Lonissa Green

School Resource Officer of the Year: Abel Nandin

Honoring Campus Teachers of the Year

San Angelo ISD is proud to announce the 2024-2025 district Teachers of the Year: Lynne Springer, Elementary Teacher of the Year, and Jenny Sanders, Secondary Teacher of the Year. These distinguished educators were chosen from among 22 teachers nominated by their peers, and each was recognized for their exceptional leadership, dedication and ability to inspire students in their classrooms.

A panel of judges from Concho Educators Federal Credit Union carefully reviewed the nominees from each campus before selecting Ms. Springer and Ms. Sanders as the district Teachers of the Year. Their identities remained a well-kept secret until the moment of the announcement at the celebration.

Both Ms. Springer and Ms. Sanders embody the qualities outlined in our SAISD Educator Profile. Their unwavering commitment to delivering inspiring educational experiences helps prepare students for a future that is full of opportunities and challenges. They are truly shaping future-ready students in every way. 

Words from Peers about the 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year:

Elementary Teacher of the Year – Lynne Springer
"Known for her kindness, generosity, and unwavering support, this year’s Elementary Teacher of the Year is a true pillar of the school community. She fosters a positive and inclusive culture by consistently uplifting those around her—checking in on colleagues, sharing homemade meals, and spreading joy through thoughtful gifts and cards. As a mentor, she builds lasting relationships with students and staff, always encouraging growth and curiosity. Her passion for teaching, particularly in writing, shines through as she nurtures creativity, confidence, and a love for learning. Beyond the classroom, she takes a genuine interest in her students’ lives, attending their events and making each child feel valued. A true Difference Maker, she goes above and beyond to inspire, support, and lead, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she meets".

Secondary Teacher of the Year – Jenny Sanders
"This dedicated and passionate educator goes above and beyond to support students both in and out of the classroom. She invests countless hours mentoring students, building their confidence, and fostering teamwork to ensure their success in all areas of life. Her creativity keeps students engaged through interactive activities, problem-solving challenges, or new ways to encourage collaboration. A natural leader, she sets high expectations, leads by example, and brings energy and humor that uplift those around her. She believes education is more than academics—it’s about building character, resilience, and lifelong skills. Her unwavering commitment and infectious enthusiasm create an environment where students feel valued, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential."

Campus Teachers of the Year:

Elementary Teachers of the Year  Belaire Elementary: Hadley Hernandez Bonham Elementary: Ashleigh Robles Bowie Elementary: Lorien Fleming Bradford Elementary: Briana King Crockett Elementary: AnnaLisa Amyett Fannin Elementary: Andrea Carson Fort Concho Elementary: Aimee Ferguson Glenmore Elementary: Amy B Cortez Goliad Elementary: Brandy Chappa Holiman Elementary: Allana McCoy Lamar Elementary: Natallee Brown McGill Elementary: Kelli Williams Reagan Elementary: Edna Wolsfield San Jacinto Elementary: Mikayla Darnell

Santa Rita Elementary: Lynne Springer

Secondary Teachers of the Year Carver Learning Center: Sherry Morton Blair Central High School: Devin Dunn Glenn Middle School: Jenny Heinze Sanders Lake View High School: Kendra Albarado Lincoln Middle School: Crystal Morales Lone Star Middle School: Melanie Cardona

Sam Houston/Special Programs: Brooke Wilcox

“Our SAISD teacher of the year winners inspire curiosity, foster growth, and empower students to reach their full potential,” said Dr. Farrah Gomez, SAISD Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer. “Their dedication to lifelong learning and student success reflects the very essence of our SAISD Educator Profile. These master teachers strive to make the hopes and dreams of students and families a reality! We are honored to have them serve in SAISD.”

Congratulations to our district Employees of the Year, campus Teachers of the Year and our district Teachers of the Year for all you do to make an impact on our students. Our people truly make the difference. 

A Heartfelt Thanks to Our Supporters

San Angelo ISD extends a special thank you to our CTE Floral Design students for creating beautiful floral accents for our winners, Kappa Delta Pi for their assistance with the day’s ceremonies and receptions, and to Concho Educators Federal Credit Union President Jerry Merrill and Vice President/CFO Kathy Gonzales for their generous support of the Teachers of the Year program, including the engraved awards. Additionally, we express our deep appreciation to H-E-B for their thoughtful donation of presentation bouquets for each district Teacher of the Year.

To stay up-to-date on San Angelo ISD, please visit the SAISD website at www.saisd.org and follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X.