SAISD Teachers Named Finalists for Prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards

Three educators from the San Antonio Independent School District are being recognized at the state level after being named finalists in the prestigious H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

Oscar Garcia of CAST Med, Silvia Corado of Graebner Elementary, and Grecia Aguilera of James Madison Elementary are among just 48 teacher finalists selected from across Texas. The finalists will compete for six statewide awards to be announced in May.

The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards celebrate outstanding educators in three categories: the Rising Star Award for teachers with 10 years of experience or less, the Leadership Award for those with 10–20 years of experience, and the Lifetime Achievement Award for educators with more than 20 years in the profession.

Among the SAISD finalists, Grecia Aguilera is recognized in the Rising Star category, Oscar Garcia in the Leadership category, and Silvia Corado in the Lifetime Achievement category — highlighting a wide range of experience and impact within the district.

As part of the recognition, each finalist received a $1,000 personal award along with an additional $1,000 for their respective campuses, supporting continued educational excellence.

District leaders and community members celebrated the surprise announcements earlier this week, praising the educators for their dedication to students and commitment to excellence in the classroom.

Winners will be announced during a formal gala in Houston on May 3, where educators from across the state will be honored for their contributions to Texas education.

The recognition underscores SAISD’s continued focus on high-quality instruction and the impactful role teachers play in shaping future generations.