June 29, 2023 - The Comal Independent School District announced its district teachers of the year, campus teachers of the year and a few special awards during its annual Night of Stars event on May 15.
As the 2022-2023 school year was winding down, Comal ISD celebrated the best of the best in the district with a dinner and awards ceremony at the Chandelier of Gruene.
This year’s top honorees include an elementary music teacher and a middle school gifted and talented teacher. Combined, they have 40 years of teaching experience. They are Alice Tuckness from Mountain Valley Elementary who was named the 2023 Elementary District Teacher of the Year, and A’ndrea Fisher from Pieper Ranch Middle School who was named the 2023 Secondary District Teacher of the Year.
The special awards include Rookie Teacher of the Year, Professional Support Staff of the Year, Educator of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year. The honorees are listed below.
The event included student talent with performances by the Freiheit Elementary School choir under the direction of music teacher Keilly Schrey and the Danville Middle School choir under the direction of Azziya Richardson. In addition, the tables featured fresh floral centerpieces designed by students from Canyon Lake High School and Davenport High School who are enrolled in advanced Floral Design classes under the guidance of teachers Alyssa Peterson and Maddisyn Farmer.
The event was sponsored by Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union and the Comal ISD Council of PTAs. Additionally, the Comal Education Foundation gave $500 to the District Teachers of the Year.
This year’s Rookie Teacher of the Year is Abigail Howeth who teaches English and coaches several sports at Spring Branch Middle School. Principal Sally Bratton explained that Howeth is ‘all in’ and always looking for ways to better serve and support her students.
“She builds impactful relationships with students so they feel comfortable being pushed,” Bratton says. “She has a consistent drive to improve her own skills and this is modeled for her students as well.”
This year’s Professional Support Staff of the Year is Stephanie Contreras, a general education paraprofessional who works with In-School Suspension at Church Hill Middle School. Principal Terri Duncan said that she takes a true interest in the students she serves.
“She takes an active role in really trying to help individual students be successful,” Duncan says.
This year’s Educator of the Year is Jessica Powell, librarian at Pieper Ranch Middle School. Colleagues call her, “selfless, helpful and knowledgeable.” They continue by explaining how she has created an atmosphere that encourages readers of all levels and styles.
“Her ideas are endless. From escape rooms and video announcements to a multicultural night and poetry slams, she is always striving to provide opportunities for all students to be involved.”
This year’s Assistant Principal of the Year is Pricelda Delgado from Goodwin Frazier Elementary. Principal Carolyn Ferguson explained that Delgado successfully managed her many roles while fostering positive relationships with students and families.
“She truly helps build the ‘family’ atmosphere on our campus, working to ensure that students and families have everything they need in order to grow and learn,” Ferguson says. “She even walks students home after school so that they do not have to cross busy streets on their own.”
Delgado is now serving as the principal of GFES, and Ferguson is the director of elementary school leadership for the district.
Comal ISD 2022-2023 Campus Teachers of the Year
Elementary
- Arlon Seay - Debbie Elizondo
- Bill Brown - Carolyn Ckodre
- Clear Spring - Heather Gillespie
- Freiheit - Hailee Shook
- Garden Ridge - Jamie Dohmen
- Goodwin Frazier - Amanda ‘Mandie’ Funk
- Hoffmann Lane - Lindsey Trbula
- Indian Springs - Kellie Lynn Samples
- Johnson Ranch - Dawn Stave Garcia
- Kinder Ranch - Laura Bradford
- Morningside - Tiffiany Hargis
- Mountain Valley - Alice Tuckness
- Oak Creek - Heather Monroe
- Rahe Bulverde - Margie Turner
- Rebecca Creek - Caroline Jordan
- Specht - Caelan Ward
- Startzville - Kelly Cheddie
- Timberwood Park - Kim Shenk
Secondary
- Canyon High - Brad Arnold
- Canyon Lake High - Christa Schouweiler
- Canyon Middle - Sarah Chapman
- Church Hill Middle - Rachel Pruitt
- Comal Discipline Center - Lynn Scheele
- Danville Middle - Meredith Clark
- Davenport High - Abe Ramirez
- Hill Country College Preparatory High - Natalie Willborn Jones
- Memorial Early College High - Ashley Lynn Martinez
- Mountain Valley Middle - Darla Blaksley
- Pieper High - Julissa Sanchez
- Pieper Ranch Middle - A’ndrea Fisher
- Smithson Valley Middle - Clint Trowbridge
- Smithson Valley High - Danette Bermea
- Spring Branch Middle - Traci Collie
2023 Night of Stars Photo Album
-Abigail Howeth from Spring Branch Middle School was named Rookie Teacher of the Year.-
-Stephanie Contreras from Church Hill Middle School was name Professional Support Staff of the Year.
-Jessica Powell, librarian from Pieper Ranch Middle School, was named Educator of the Year.
-Pricelda Delgado from Goodwin Frazier was named the Assistant Principal of the Year.
-Mountain Valley Elementary School music teacher Alice Tuckness was named 2023 Elementary District Teacher of the Year for Comal ISD on May 15.
-Pieper Ranch Middle School gifted and talented teacher A’ndrea Fisher was named the 2023 Secondary District Teacher of the Year for Comal ISD on May 15.
-The Danville Middle School choir performed at the 2023 Night of Stars event on May 15.
-The Freiheit Elementary School choir performed at the 2023 Night of Stars event on May 15.