“My students…gave me the opportunities to be patient, to be empathetic, to be joyful with them..."
See video: https://youtu.be/lI-juX_HZXU
Raul Perez is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Scott Johnson Middle School. He teaches 8th grade science, and he has worked as an educator for 27 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/lI-juX_HZXU
Raul Perez is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Scott Johnson Middle School. He teaches 8th grade science, and he has worked as an educator for 27 years.
“This year…I was very intentional with our special ed population…those students need to see the learning commons, the makerspace, the STEAM activities…”
See video: https://youtu.be/KoVvtyxOdTc
Angie Stallbaumer is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Frazier Elementary. She is a library media specialist, and she has worked as an educator for 21.5 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/KoVvtyxOdTc
Angie Stallbaumer is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Frazier Elementary. She is a library media specialist, and she has worked as an educator for 21.5 years.
McKinney Boyd sophomores Ean Scott and Tyler Jorgenson won third prize in the Western Division of the 2026 C-SPAN StudentCam documentary competition for their video titled, "Community, the Consent of the Governed, and our Right to Protest."
The documentary blended news footage with video and interviews shot by Ean and Tyler and was chosen from some 1,800 student submissions. Mayor Bill Cox and McKinney City Council member Justin Beller, who were interviewed in the documentary, joined C-SPAN Media Relations Specialist Robin Newton, Charter Communications Representative Clem Maddox, McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt, Boyd Principal David Hodum, family members and Boyd teachers this afternoon for a special award presentation and to view the documentary. In addition to an award certificate, the third place prize also included $750.
Congratulations, Ean and Tyler!
Yesterday was a truly special day as we honored the incredible legacies of Eddins, McNeil, and Wolford Elementary Schools. It was heartwarming to see parents, staff, and alumni share stories and celebrate the lasting impact these schools have had on our community. From inspiring words by administrators to student art and historical displays, every moment felt like a tribute to the memories made within these walls.
Please enjoy these videos as we look back on the legacy of each campus.
Remembering C.T. Eddins Elementary
Remembering Arthur H. McNeil Elementary
Remembering Earl and Lottie Wolford Elementary
“I was thinking recently about what the structure of our day looks like, and I realized that we sing a lot of songs in our class. Sometimes the kids sing with me, and sometimes I’m just doing a show by myself.”
Video: https://youtu.be/qlBtkf7N6kg
Bree Bakke is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Minshew Elementary. She teaches 1st grade, and she has worked as an educator for 14 years.
Video: https://youtu.be/qlBtkf7N6kg
Bree Bakke is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Minshew Elementary. She teaches 1st grade, and she has worked as an educator for 14 years.
“Kids struggle more with knowing how to communicate with one another…so we spend a lot of time talking about what ‘What would you do in this scenario? What do you say?’.”
Video: https://youtu.be/iYMJ8oXnQqc
Jenni Webb is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Eddins Elementary. She teaches first grade, and she has worked as an educator for 15 years.
Video: https://youtu.be/iYMJ8oXnQqc
Jenni Webb is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Eddins Elementary. She teaches first grade, and she has worked as an educator for 15 years.
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week is senior Brandt Hodges from McKinney High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/ew6NhBNquTo
Brandt is a 3-year letterman and 2-year captain for the Lions baseball team. In 2025 he was selected District 6-6A Honorable Mention Shortstop, and he received the MHS Baseball MVP and Gold Glove awards.
Brandt’s achievements in the classroom included taking 6 AP classes and receiving the Academic All-District award 3 times and the Academic Excellence award 4 times.
He has participated in the PALS mentorship program, and he has served with the Young Men’s Service League.
Brandt works as a server at Touchmark Retirement Community, and after graduation he plans to attend the University of Arkansas to major in Biomechanical Engineering.
Congratulations to Brandt Hodges from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/ew6NhBNquTo
Brandt is a 3-year letterman and 2-year captain for the Lions baseball team. In 2025 he was selected District 6-6A Honorable Mention Shortstop, and he received the MHS Baseball MVP and Gold Glove awards.
Brandt’s achievements in the classroom included taking 6 AP classes and receiving the Academic All-District award 3 times and the Academic Excellence award 4 times.
He has participated in the PALS mentorship program, and he has served with the Young Men’s Service League.
Brandt works as a server at Touchmark Retirement Community, and after graduation he plans to attend the University of Arkansas to major in Biomechanical Engineering.
Congratulations to Brandt Hodges from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
Thank you to Original ChopShop for their generous support of our McKinney ISD Elementary Teacher of the Year Tommy Gillett from Burks Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year Reagan Brannon from Faubion Middle School!
Today Original ChopShop surprised each of them with a special recognition gift—one free salad, bowl, or sandwich every week for an entire year to celebrate the dedication and impact they have every day!
We truly appreciate Original ChopShop for being part of this celebration and for recognizing the hard work of our teachers!
Today Original ChopShop surprised each of them with a special recognition gift—one free salad, bowl, or sandwich every week for an entire year to celebrate the dedication and impact they have every day!
We truly appreciate Original ChopShop for being part of this celebration and for recognizing the hard work of our teachers!
McKinney North High School Top 10 Students!
McKinney ISD continued its celebration of its Top 10 Students from each high school today, this time at McKinney North where Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Principal Justin Penio welcomed the honored students and their family members to a special recognition breakfast. Next Friday, the district will recognize the Top 10 Students from McKinney Boyd.
In what has now become tradition, Pratt presented each of the students with a Top 10 Students shirt displaying their class rank on the back. These students have achieved something quite remarkable, and Pratt praised them for the hard work that brought them to this moment, for the long hours that they have devoted in the pursuit of academic excellence.
"To finish in the Top 10 in a school like McKinney North is a huge accomplishment," he said. "We wanted to come here and thank you. We recognize what you do, not just for McKinney North, but for our school district."
Congratulations to the Top 10 Students of the McKinney North High School Class of 2026!
1. Rafaela Zentner
2. Sophie Yu
3. Shreya Chougule
4. Hafsa Popal
5. Kinsley Duncan
6. Jacob Oh
7. Sriram Srinivasan
8. Campbell Thurow
9. Elijah Alvarez
10. Daniel Hyun
McKinney ISD continued its celebration of its Top 10 Students from each high school today, this time at McKinney North where Superintendent Shawn Pratt and Principal Justin Penio welcomed the honored students and their family members to a special recognition breakfast. Next Friday, the district will recognize the Top 10 Students from McKinney Boyd.
In what has now become tradition, Pratt presented each of the students with a Top 10 Students shirt displaying their class rank on the back. These students have achieved something quite remarkable, and Pratt praised them for the hard work that brought them to this moment, for the long hours that they have devoted in the pursuit of academic excellence.
"To finish in the Top 10 in a school like McKinney North is a huge accomplishment," he said. "We wanted to come here and thank you. We recognize what you do, not just for McKinney North, but for our school district."
Congratulations to the Top 10 Students of the McKinney North High School Class of 2026!
1. Rafaela Zentner
2. Sophie Yu
3. Shreya Chougule
4. Hafsa Popal
5. Kinsley Duncan
6. Jacob Oh
7. Sriram Srinivasan
8. Campbell Thurow
9. Elijah Alvarez
10. Daniel Hyun
“The last 3 years with science…that was really my goal: How hands-on can I make this? How can I just really make this hands-on and those moments matter?”
See video: https://youtu.be/SNB7PKr6sbg
Kristi Gray is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Wolford Elementary. She is a 5th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 16 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/SNB7PKr6sbg
Kristi Gray is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Wolford Elementary. She is a 5th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 16 years.
“There are a lot of times where kids are passed over, they are looked over…I see those kids. I’m going to be the one to say ‘What do you need? How can I help you?’.”
See video: https://youtu.be/CLYylQF_2Cw
Johanna Brubaker is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Bennett Elementary. She is a library media specialist, and she has worked as an educator for 23 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/CLYylQF_2Cw
Johanna Brubaker is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Bennett Elementary. She is a library media specialist, and she has worked as an educator for 23 years.
McKinney ISD’s Advanced Placement (AP) program, a cornerstone of the Advanced Academics department under School Leadership, offers 31 rigorous, college-level courses designed to foster academic excellence and global college readiness. Guided by an open-enrollment philosophy, the district ensures equity and access for all students ready to challenge themselves with a curriculum that aligns with both TEKS and College Board standards. These programs are led by highly qualified educators, many of whom serve as official AP readers and undergo extensive College Board training. By participating in these courses and achieving a score of 3 or higher on the internationally recognized exams held each May, students can earn college credit accepted at over 3,800 universities worldwide, while simultaneously strengthening their scholarship opportunities and competitive edge in the admissions process.
“For me, it’s getting the students to see social studies as more than what they like to say, ‘It’s just a bunch of dead guys..’.”
See video: https://youtu.be/g5x5EZVMdmA
Matthew Baca is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Dowell Middle School. He teaches 8th grade U.S. history, and he has worked as an educator for 4 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/g5x5EZVMdmA
Matthew Baca is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Dowell Middle School. He teaches 8th grade U.S. history, and he has worked as an educator for 4 years.
“I love coming to school. I don’t like when I have to miss school. Being around kids every day is a joy.”
See video: https://youtu.be/zOTk22XS6zQ
Allison Way is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Glen Oaks Elementary. She is a 4th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 19 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/zOTk22XS6zQ
Allison Way is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Glen Oaks Elementary. She is a 4th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 19 years.
The April edition of the Community Connection is now live! This month, we’re recapping the latest board meeting and congratulating our Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. Click the subscribe button at the bottom of the page to have future editions delivered directly to your inbox.
Earth Day is a reminder that we all share one home, and even small choices can make a big difference. Whether it’s reducing waste, planting something green, conserving energy or simply spending time in nature, every effort counts.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our planet and recommit to protecting it for future generations!
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our planet and recommit to protecting it for future generations!
“I have a little brother with autism and so that’s what brought me to into the special education realm.”
See video: https://youtu.be/h49fT0Vn0f0
Tori Killion is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Valley Creek Elementary. She is a special education teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 12 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/h49fT0Vn0f0
Tori Killion is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Valley Creek Elementary. She is a special education teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 12 years.
“I worked McKinney Parks and Recreation with the city of McKinney for 15 years…and I really liked the teaching component…but I always thought, ‘What if I really was a teacher?’.”
Video: https://youtu.be/ZHXiuVx2Z3w
Kristal Jimenez is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Caldwell Elementary. She teaches 5th grade bilingual, and she has worked as an educator for 7 years.
Video: https://youtu.be/ZHXiuVx2Z3w
Kristal Jimenez is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Caldwell Elementary. She teaches 5th grade bilingual, and she has worked as an educator for 7 years.
Administrative Professionals Day was established to recognize the people who keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes—the organizers, problem-solvers, calendar-jugglers and calm-in-the-chaos pros who make workplaces work.
Your attention to detail and ability to handle a million moving parts at once don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do—it truly makes a difference every day!
Your attention to detail and ability to handle a million moving parts at once don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do—it truly makes a difference every day!
This week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week is Claire Green from McKinney North High School.
See video: https://youtu.be/kv1C2kLjx_c
Claire is a 4-year varsity theatre member of the Drama Dawgs, and she has received Superior ranking at both the State and National level. Claire was a mainstage performer with “Suite Surrender” at the State and National level, winning Best Ensemble at the State level. She is also a 4-year State Qualifier and 3-year National Qualifier.
Claire currently has a 4.6 GPA with 10 AP classes, and she is a 2-year member of the National Honor Society. She also participates in Finance Club, Chess Club, Debate and Musical Theatre.
In her free time, Claire volunteers at the McKinney Performing Arts Center and community theatre.
After graduation, Claire plans to major in Astronomy and continue with theatre as a minor or extracurricular.
That’s Claire Green from McKinney North High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/kv1C2kLjx_c
Claire is a 4-year varsity theatre member of the Drama Dawgs, and she has received Superior ranking at both the State and National level. Claire was a mainstage performer with “Suite Surrender” at the State and National level, winning Best Ensemble at the State level. She is also a 4-year State Qualifier and 3-year National Qualifier.
Claire currently has a 4.6 GPA with 10 AP classes, and she is a 2-year member of the National Honor Society. She also participates in Finance Club, Chess Club, Debate and Musical Theatre.
In her free time, Claire volunteers at the McKinney Performing Arts Center and community theatre.
After graduation, Claire plans to major in Astronomy and continue with theatre as a minor or extracurricular.
That’s Claire Green from McKinney North High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
