Kiker Elementary School teacher Jewellyn Forrest has been named a finalist for the 2018 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards.

H-E-B’s Excellence in Education is the largest monetary awards program for educators in Texas, and among the largest in the nation. The educators learned they were finalists this week, when H-E-B representatives visited their classrooms and schools with balloons, cookies and flowers.

Six teachers were presented with a $1,000 check for themselves and a $1,000 check for their schools. Two principals received a $1,000 check for themselves and a $2,500 check for their school. The finalists are:

• Jewellyn Forrest, Kiker Elementary, Austin ISD, Lifetime Achievement Elementary
• James Pasto, KIPP Austin Collegiate, KIPP Austin, Principal Secondary
• Stephanie Stoebe, Teravista Elementary, Round Rock ISD, Leadership Elementary
• Kimberlee McLeod, Marble Falls High School, Marble Falls ISD, Rising Star Secondary
• Julie Pryor, Walnut Springs Elementary, Dripping Springs ISD, Principal Elementary
• Allie Duffy, Joe Lee Johnson Elementary, Round Rock ISD, Rising Star Elementary
• Leticia Munoz, Park Crest Middle School, Pflugerville ISD, Leadership Secondary
• Vicki Rowe, Taylor High School, Taylor ISD, Lifetime Achievement Secondary

H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 to support public education in Texas.

The six winning teachers include one elementary and one secondary teacher in each of three categories:

• The Rising Star Award honors exceptionally promising teachers with fewer than 10 years of experience. These winners will each receive a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.
• The Leadership Award honors teachers with 10–20 years in the classroom. These winners will each receive a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their schools.
• The Lifetime Achievement Award salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers will each receive a $25,000 check for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.

All finalists may compete in Houston on May 5–6 for prizes totaling $430,000.