Vernon ISD wrapped up the 2025-26 school year by hosting a Lions Roar Recognition Luncheon for teachers and staff that was held last Friday in the Empire Room of the Wilbarger Auditorium.
During the ceremony teachers and staff were recognized with longevity awards, campus teacher and staff member of the year awards, and those who retired at the end of the school year were honored. District teachers who earned a designation in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program were also recognized, and the district announced the recipients of the 2025-26 Vernon ISD Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year awards.
“This year has brought its share of challenges, but it has also highlighted the strength, resilience, and teamwork that define our district,” Vernon ISD Supt. Dr. Blaise Boswell said as he opened the awards ceremony. “From the classroom to the bus route, from the cafeteria to the front office, every role matters, and every one of you plays a part in shaping our students’ experience each day. That impact is lasting and meaningful.
“As we reflect on this year, I hope you feel a strong sense of pride in all that you’ve accomplished,” he continued. “Thank you for the difference you make, not just in what you do, but in how you do it.”
VISD announced the teacher and staff member of the year honors for each district campus in April and those honorees received their plaques. Those recipients included teachers of the year: Kristin Chavira, McCord Elementary; Kelli Coble, Vernon Elementary; Brady Parum, Middle School; and Libbi Garnett, High School.
During Friday’s event the district announced the Vernon ISD 2025-26 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year and receiving those honors were Kristin Chavira, who is a life skills teacher at McCord, and Brady Parum, who is a science teacher at VMS.
“Walk into her (Chavira’s) classroom on any given morning, and you’ll see exactly why she earned this honor,” said VISD Board Trustee Amanda Lehman who presented the award. “You’ll see students practicing real-life routines with pride – from organizing materials to building skills they can use far beyond the classroom. You’ll hear Kristin reminding students to ‘check your tools’ as they practice self-regulation and problem-solving independently.
“And, Kristen does it all with a joy that you can feel from the moment you step into the room,” Lehman continued. “That doesn’t happen by accident. That happens because Kristin has mastered the craft of teaching, and even more importantly, the craft of seeing children.”
When announcing Parum as the Secondary Teacher of the Year, Lehman said she has done what the best secondary teachers do – make the subject they teacher matter to students who didn’t know it could.
“Walk into Brady’s classroom on any given day and you’ll see exactly why she earned this honor,” Lehman said. “That kind of classroom culture doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because Brady has built something that is genuinely rare in second education – where place where students want to be. You’ll see a classroom where participation isn’t forced, because students genuinely want to be part of the conversation.”
Staff Members of the Year for each campus were: Sandra Edwards, McCord Elementary; Kathy Harlin, Vernon Elementary; Quinton Porter, Middle School; and Hilda Moreno, High School. Wilbarger Shared Services Agreement Staff Member of the Year was Josie King.
Last year Vernon ISD had 29 teachers who earned a level of distinction in the state’s Teacher Incentive Program based on student scores and evaluations from the 2023-24 school year. This year, VISD has 39 teachers who earned a TIA distinction based on student scores and evaluations from the 2024-25 school year. There were 12 teachers who earned the Recognized designation; 23 teachers who earned the Exemplary designation; and 4 teachers who earned the Master designation.
Based on their level of distinction, the teachers will receive a stipend from the State of Texas each year for the next five years, with VISD receiving 10 percent of those funds each year.
Teachers at the Recognized Level included: Deborah Hogue, Christina Mathes, Braci Morris, Jennifer Newcomer, Doug Patterson, Kelly Patterson, Savannah Sandoval, Audrey Wrinkle, Melanie Chilton, Kelli Coble, Melissa Singleton, and Judie McGough.
Exemplary Level teachers included: Ana Alicia Delagarza, Donna Hardin, Melissa Inman, Courtney Jansa, Ana Mora, Laura Pedigo, Denise Sanders, Madison Smith, Jana White, TiSierra White, Twaleena Watson-Weddle, Kelly Boswell, Whitney Fryman, Mandy Kajs, Karen Schoonover, Dustin Swatzell, Lauren Craighead, Amy Frank, Shannon Glaze, Crystal Jones, Chelsea Lopez, Robin Sanchez, and Matt Soucy.
Reaching the Master Level were Beth Haight, Julie Terry, Katrina Trejo, and Jessica Miller.
The Vernon Regional Retired Teachers Association Award was presented to Marilyn Leasure, who spent 12 of her 40 years in education with Vernon ISD.
Honored as the Lions Pride Partner of the Year was Hillcrest Pharmacy for being a business that just doesn’t sponsor an event, write a check, or hang a banner, but one that shows up again and again for VISD students and staff. Owners Adam and Traci Bayer accepted the award and when presenting the couple with the award, VISD Trustee Jarrod David what truly sets Hillcrest Pharmacy apart is the spirit behind everything the Bayers do.
“They don’t support our school because it’s good marketing,” he said. “They support our school because they believe in our students. They believe in this community. And they believe that when a business invests in young people, everyone wins.”
Vernon ISD is losing nine employees who retired at the end of the 2025-26 school year. Those retirees include:
-- Chris Christopher, 5 years with VISD that contributed to a career in education spanning more than 25 years
-- Candie Cox, 19 years of services with VISD
-- Jeri Dickson, 32 years of service, beginning as a paraprofessional and growing into roles as a teacher and principal, dedicating her career to meeting the needs of Vernon students
-- Stella Johnson, 22 years of service and commitment to Vernon ISD
-- Keta Jolly, 9 years of service to Vernon ISD
-- Kristie Thomas, 27-year career, all with Vernon ISD, that has impacted students across DAEP, high school and middle school art, special education and AFP
-- Alvin Turkett, 15 years of service to VISD
-- Chris Waggoner, 24-year career, all with Vernon ISD, that impacted generations of VHS math students
-- Brett White, 9 years with VISD that concluded his incredible 36-year career in education
The district also presented awards for its Child Nutrition, Maintenance, Transportation and Custodian departments. Those Employee of the Year awards went to: Karina Lira Rivera, child nutrition; David Bradford, maintenance; Antonio Garcia, custodian; and Brenda McCarty, transportation.
Longevity awards were presented to employees who are celebrating their 5-year, 10-year, 15-year, 20-year, 25-year and 40-year anniversary with VISD. Those employees included:
5-years: Shelby Ballard, Donna Brown, Abel Chavez, Chris Christopher, Amber Hall, Angela Heard, April Isnhower, Clay Montgomery, Aspen Newcomer, Beth Newton, Kenneth Newton, Ben Owen, Brock Payne, Yirian Ramirez Alamarales, Deborah Ramsey, Charli Self, Kassidy Sherrill, and Jaley Willingham;
10-years: Amanda Brown, Emilia Chavez, Mary Clemente, David Coble, Seth Elliot, Amy Frank, Clayton Lewis, Rita Martinez, Allison McCurley, Jessica Miller, Haley Pope, Kenneth Reynolds, Dustin Swatzell, Chantilly Sweet, and Jana White;
15-years: Misti Dickerson, Abel Escobedo, Doug Patterson, and Heath Wiebe;
20-years: Whitney Fryman, Dawn Gamez, Stacy McGowen, Jennifer Newcomer, and Michele Brahier;
25-years: Mariah Byars, Carrie Castleberry, Lisa Hass, Susan Haynes, Josie King, Sally Reeves, and Brian Weatherly;
40-years: Curtis Sims.