Aliyah Vidales recall the motivational mantra her first-grade teacher used to say in class: “My teacher believes I can, so I did.”
Today, Vidales is an award-winning teacher who gives her own second-grade students the same pep talk.
“I have wanted to be in education so I could make a difference in my students’ lives in the way my first-grade teacher, who is now my mentor, did for me,” Vidales said.
Vidales is one of at least five recent graduates of the University of Houston College of Education who won Teacher of the Year awards for 2025-26 — an early sign of the impact these new educators are having in classrooms across the region.
Teacher of the Award Winners 2025-26:
- Elise Garcia (Galena Park ISD) — District & School Level
- Agustina Mansilla (Humble ISD) — School Level
- Maria Pizano (Channelview ISD) — School Level
- Melissa Trevino (Pasadena ISD) — School Level
- Aliyah Vidales (Galveston ISD) — District & School Level
Though they teach different grade levels and subjects, the five alumni share a common commitment: creating supportive classroom environments and helping students believe in themselves. They credited supportive professors and the College’s yearlong teaching residency for providing a strong foundation for leading their own classrooms.
“The College of Education played a significant role in my development by providing meaningful hands-on experiences and a strong support system throughout the program,” Mansilla said. “The combination of coursework, field experiences and mentorship helped me enter the classroom feeling confident and prepared to make a positive impact on my students.”
Read more about what these award-winning teachers learned in their first year and what they hope their students carry with them long after leaving their classrooms.
Elise Garcia
Elementary Rookie Teacher of the Year 2025-26 (District Level & School)
Cloverleaf Elementary School | Galena Park ISD
B.S. in Teaching and Learning (’25)
What has been the most rewarding part of your first year of teaching?
The most rewarding part of my first year has been building strong relationships with
my students and my coworkers. I’ve learned so much about adapting to the world of
education, and it has been amazing to see both my students and our school grow throughout
the year.
What advice would you give to student- or first-year teachers starting their careers?
My advice would be to accept support and guidance from others and not give up. This
year has taught me a lot about myself as a person and as a teacher. It may feel challenging
at first, but it does get easier, and students truly need someone who believes in
them.
Was there a professor, course or experience at UH that had a big impact on you as
a teacher?
The professors who had the biggest impact on me were Dr. Heather Domjan and Dr. Carrie
Cutler. They made learning engaging and fun through hands-on activities and modeled
what great teaching looks like. They also created a safe and supportive environment,
which is something I now strive to provide for my own students.
What do you hope your students remember most about your class?
I hope my students remember how supported and cared for they felt in my classroom
— that it was a safe place to make mistakes and grow. I also hope they remember the
meaningful lessons and conversations we shared together.
Agustina Mansilla 
Rookie Teacher of the Year 2025-26
Eagle Springs Elementary School | Humble ISD
B.S. in Teaching and Learning (’25)
What advice would you give to student- or first-year teachers starting their careers?
Always remember your “why.” There will be challenging days, and it is important to
remind yourself why you chose this path. Lean on your mentors and fellow teachers
when you need support, and do not be afraid to ask questions. It is OK not to have
everything figured out right away. You will continue to learn and grow each day.
Was there a professor, course or experience at UH that had a big impact on you as
a teacher?
My site coordinator during student teaching, Toni Wendt, had a big impact on me. Her
support and guidance helped me grow in confidence and prepare for my own classroom.
The College of Education also played a significant role in my development by providing
meaningful hands-on experiences and a strong support system throughout the program.
The combination of coursework, field experiences and mentorship helped me enter the
classroom feeling confident and prepared to make a positive impact on my students.
What do you hope your students remember most about your class?
I hope my students remember that my classroom was a fun, welcoming place where they
felt excited to come to school every day. More than anything, I want them to remember
feeling supported, valued and excited about learning.
Maria Pizano
Rising Star of the Year 2025-26
Anthony Aguirre Junior High School | Channelview ISD
B.S. in Teaching and Learning (’24)
What has been the most rewarding part of your first year of teaching?
I have loved seeing my students grow. Sixth grade is an age where students are starting
to figure out who they are, and seeing them grow in their knowledge of mathematics
as well as in maturity has been so rewarding. Being able to serve as a role model
for them has been such a great feeling, especially since I returned to the middle
school I once attended as a student.
What advice would you give to student- or first-year teachers starting their careers?
I would encourage COE students to make the most of their student teaching year. It
can be scary to approach teaching for the first time, but maximizing my student teaching
experience was one of the things that best prepared me to teach on my own. For first-year
teachers, I would say to give yourself grace and take care of yourself.
Was there a professor, course or experience at UH that had a big impact on you as
a teacher?
I was fortunate to have an amazing student teaching experience through the UH COE
program. I student taught in Aldine ISD in Mr. Berrones’ eighth-grade math classroom,
and I truly feel that my experience there prepared me to lead my own classroom. I
am very grateful to him and to the College of Education for that opportunity.
What do you hope your students remember most about your class?
I hope my students remember that I always believed in every single one of them and
that anyone can be good at math. I also hope they remember that my classroom was a
place where they felt safe to make mistakes, ask questions and grow. More than anything,
I want them to carry the confidence they built in my class with them.
Melissa Trevino
First Year Teacher of the Year 2025-26
L.F. Smith Elementary School | Pasadena ISD
B.S. in Teaching and Learning (’24)
What has been the most rewarding part of your first year of teaching?
The most rewarding part of my first year has been building meaningful relationships
with my students and watching them grow in confidence throughout the year. Seeing
them overcome challenges, celebrate their successes and believe in themselves has
been incredibly rewarding.
Was there a professor, course or experience at UH that had a big impact on you as
a teacher?
Dr. Justin Burris, Dr. Anne Katz and Dr. Heather Domjan all had a tremendous impact
on me during my time at UH. Their classes taught me valuable lessons that I have carried
with me into my own classroom every day. They helped me build confidence, strengthen
my teaching practices and better understand how to support all learners.
What do you hope your students remember most about your class?
More than any lesson I taught, I want them to remember our classroom was a safe place
where they felt valued and encouraged. I hope they leave knowing they are capable
of achieving great things. Most importantly, I hope they remember that they always
had someone in their corner cheering them on.
Aliyah Vidales
Rookie Teacher of the Year 2025-26 (District Level & School)
Oppe Elementary School | Galveston ISD
B.S. in Teaching and Learning (’25)
What has been the most rewarding part of your first year of teaching?
The most rewarding part of my first teaching experience has been the bond that I have
created with each student, allowing them to flourish educationally and emotionally
as young learners.
What advice would you give to student- or first-year teachers starting their careers?
Do not be so hard on yourself about the little things. You make so many split-second
decisions a day, and it is normal to not always be perfect — especially in your first
year.
Was there a professor, course or experience at UH that had a big impact on you as
a teacher?
Dr. Carrie Cutler, Dr. Justin Burris and Dr. Celeste Alba’s classes had the biggest
impact on me because of their commitment to the art of teaching, but also because
of how well they bonded with students and made us feel like people, not just another
student in a large class.
What do you hope your students remember most about your class?
My first-grade teacher and mentor taught me a saying that I now tell my students:
“My teacher believes I can, so I did.” That is something I carry with me every day,
and I hope my students carry that with them for the rest of their lives, just as I
did.