The Brief
- H-E-B has named 68 finalists for its 2026 Excellence in Education Awards, honoring top teachers, principals, and districts across five Texas regions.
- Nearly $500,000 in additional prizes will be awarded at a Houston ceremony on May 3, including grants of up to $100,000 for winning school districts.
- Nominations for the 2027 awards are now open, allowing Texas residents to recommend state-certified public school professionals through September 30.
H-E-B has announced the 68 finalists for its 2026 Excellence in Education Awards, kicking off a statewide competition that will award nearly half a million dollars to Texas public school professionals and districts.
H-E-B Excellence in Education
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The 2026 finalist pool includes 50 teachers, counselors, and principals, along with five early childhood facilities, five public school boards, and eight school districts. The announcement follows months of surprise visits across the state, during which H-E-B officials presented initial checks totaling $120,000 to individual educators and their respective campuses.
Under the preliminary award structure, teacher finalists received $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their schools. Counselors and principals received $1,000 personally, with their schools receiving grants of $1,500 and $2,500, respectively. Early childhood centers, school boards, and district finalists were each awarded $5,000.
The finalists will move on to a final round of judging before winners are announced at a formal ceremony on May 3 at the Marriott Marquis Houston. During the event, H-E-B will distribute an additional $480,000 in cash prizes and grants.…