On April 22, Highland Park ISD proudly hosted the 2026 Employee Service & Recognition Banquet at the Clements Leadership Center, celebrating the dedicated employees who make a lasting impact on students, families, and the HPISD community each day. The evening honored staff members for years of service, advanced degrees, professional achievement, Heart at Work awards, and the 2026–27 Teachers and Paraprofessionals of the Year.
Throughout the evening, district leaders recognized employees whose commitment, leadership, and service continue to shape the tradition of excellence at HPISD. Superintendent Dr. Mike Rockwood and members of the Board of Trustees joined campus and district administrators in celebrating the many accomplishments of this year’s honorees.
The banquet recognized employees celebrating milestone anniversaries of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service, as well as retirees whose careers have made a lasting impact across the district. Special recognition was also given to staff members earning advanced degrees, recipients of Professional Achievement Awards, and the district’s Heart at Work honorees, who were selected for their servant leadership and dedication to supporting students, staff, and families.
HPISD also proudly recognized the 2026–27 Teachers of the Year and Paraprofessionals of the Year from each campus. These educators and staff members were selected for the meaningful impact they make within their schools and classrooms every day.
The district extends its gratitude to all employees for their dedication, passion, and service to HPISD. Their commitment continues to inspire students and strengthen the Highland Park community.
Below are this year’s honorees (not all pictured).
2026-27 Teachers of the Year:
- Armstrong Elementary: Kristina Bily
- Boone Elementary: Erica Beck
- Bradfield Elementary: Caroline Anthony
- Hyer Elementary: Jeni Munsie
- University Park Elementary: Jenessa Brunette
- McCulloch Intermediate School: Camryn Carroll
- Highland Park Middle School: LeAnn Graham
- Highland Park High School: Meredith Townsend
2026-27 Paraprofessional of the Year:
- Armstrong Elementary: Lane Arnold
- Boone Elementary: Michael Aguirre
- Bradfield Elementary: Kristen Schweiger
- Hyer Elementary: Valesia Johnson
- University Park Elementary: Taylor Osborne
- McCulloch Intermediate School: Dionna Chambers
- Highland Park Middle School: Kendra Davis
- Highland Park High School: Kathy Sloan
Advanced Degree Recipients
- Highland Park High School: Iva Cochran, Jaqueline Farley, Jason Pullano
- McCulloch Intermediate School: Mackenzie Thomas
- Armstrong Elementary: Theresa Parada
- Boone Elementary: Erica Beck, Richard Wager, Brianna Hemby
- Bradfield Elementary: Caroline Anthony, Courtney Kemendo, Allison Lowery, Sarah Nelson, Kimberly Sweaney
- Hyer Elementary: Delaney Jansen
- University Park Elementary: Katherine Broadhurst, Ann Henson
Heart at Work Award Recipients
- Armstrong Elementary: Mercedes Trent and Hilary Van Buren
- Boone Elementary: Stacy Slater and Amber Chavarria
- Bradfield Elementary: Mitzi Mitchell and Kristi LaViolette
- Hyer Elementary: Delaney Parker and Mary Ann Hoover
- University Park Elementary: Melissa Groshans and Esther Hernandez
- McCulloch Intermediate School: Kade Kinnamon and Katherine McCaslin
- Highland Park Middle School: Sheryl Perkin and Ernest “Ernie” Holmes
- Highland Park High School: Michelle Altom and Kathy Sloan
- Administration: Chief Mark Rowden and Shannon Wayland
5 Years of Service
Dayenary Aguilar, Mollie Brennan, Amy Brown, Allison Burns, Michael Burt, Gina Choe, William Corbett, Shelbi Corral, Meegan Cramer, Genevieve Croft, Hailey Dalrymple, Scott Drillette, Stacy Eckeberger, Matthew Epperson, Gloria Esparza, Rebeca Esparza, David Fahle, Esther Galvan, Erin Gonzales, Lisa Hayes, Gerald Hebert, Ann Henson, Maria Hernandez-Rodriguez, Yvette Hightower, Jacqueline Holland, Shannon Howerton, Casey Hurlbutt, Shawna Jandrew, Seema Kumari, Daneitra Loveless, Michelle Martin, Laura Mosby, Sarah Nelson, Pablo Reyes, Justin Robinson, Kennedy Sanders, Robert Smith, Steven Stevenson, Tiffany Syfert, Mackensie Thomas, Mercedes Trent, Abbey Utley, Amanda Wall, Morgan Willey, Cara Woods
10 Years of Service
Becky Adams, David Alvarado, Katie Barrow, Dana Bush, Lauren Cothran, Brittany Cristofoli, Doris Guerra, Blair Kaiser, Marc Lechlitner, Savannah Pacheco, Amparo Perez, Valarie Proudfoot, Megan Riley, Rai Smith, Broderick Sublet, Kathryn Tallant, Ellen Talley, Lindsey Young
15 Years of Service
Kelly Bentley, Cara Busker, Hector Cabrera, Daren Eason, Katherine Eason, LeAnn Graham, Karen Johnson, Kari Jones, April Penman, Shannon Phillips, Charlotte Richter, Brianna Riddell, Laura Rollins, Seema Saha, Jennifer Torres, Mary Walker, Belina Zerdelija
Christen Armer, Adrienne Conklin, Betsy Cummins, Kendra Davis, Angela Friddle, Julie Goodwin, Carolyn James, Anne Ellen McDow, Maria Perez, David Piehler, Lori Riley, Aaron Scott, Brooke Scott, Wanda Streepey, Travis Yoder
25 Years of Service
Jonathan Foley, Kathleen Gardner, Kay Honeyman, Tylir Jimenez, Kelley Rather, Brenda Vardell
30 Years of Service
Dr. Skip Moran
35 Years of Service
Susan Graeber
40 Years of Service
Lucinda Lapp, Mark Sherman
Retirees
Anne Balden, Jeffrey Barrows, Carolyn James, Julie Grisby, Amanda Reyes, Kathleen Gardner, Brett “Allison” Barnes, Katherine Keffer, Leticia Parker, Jennifer Torres, Dianne Morgan