Kevin Criss, AHISD Teacher of the Year, was honored as a finalist in the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year program.
Six outstanding educators from across Texas were chosen as finalists in the 2025 Texas Teacher of the Year program.
Criss, a physical education teacher at Cambridge Elementary, was one of three finalists for Elementary Teacher of the Year. In August, he was named Region 20 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
The six finalists were interviewed by a panel of judges composed of representatives of educational leadership associations, community and business leaders, a member of the State Board for Educator Certification, a member of the State Board of Education, and prior Texas Teachers of the Year.
The panel selected two state-level winners — Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year — and designated one to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program.
The winners were announced at an awards ceremony at the end of October. The finalists and the 40 Regional Teachers of the Year were also recognized.
The Texas Teacher of the Year program has honored excellence in classroom education since 1969. The program, facilitated by TASA since 2011, annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching.