We’ve logged miles across the district, visited every campus, and looked into the eyes of hundreds of educators. Through it all, the message remains the same: We are profoundly grateful for you. Please know our gratitude doesn't end today. We see you, we value you, and we are proud to stand behind you every single day of the year.
Today is National School Communicators Day, and we want to thank the McKinney ISD community for all of the likes, follows, and views on our district’s social channels, school app, and website!
To celebrate, make sure to follow McKinney ISD on all our channels. Our students and staff are doing amazing things every day, and these platforms are where we get to share those stories with all of you!
McKinney ISD App
https://www.mckinneyisd.net/page/mobile-app
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/mckinneyschools/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/mckinney_isd/?hl=en
X
https://x.com/mckinneyisd
Spotify
https://tinyurl.com/mckinneyisdpodcast
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/c/McKinneyISDMedia
Congratulations to the 2026 McKinney ISD Distinguished Student Award recipients! These 45 remarkable seniors from McKinney Boyd, McKinney High School and McKinney North exemplify the best of McKinney ISD! The Distinguished Student Award is the highest honor that McKinney ISD bestows upon a student!
See video: https://youtu.be/2soBy8FGeY8
(Photos coming soon...)
Congratulations to the 2026 McKinney ISD Distinguished Students and their Inspirational Teachers!
English Honors
Geneviève de Gaalon — McKinney Boyd High School — English
Inspirational Teacher — Stefanie McCarthy
Samantha Sneller — McKinney High School — English
Inspirational Teacher — Ricardo Sneller
Anna Largaespada Castillo — McKinney North High School — English
Inspirational Teacher — Tara Zappe
Science Honors
Namasvi Patel — McKinney Boyd High School — Science
Inspirational Teacher — Kerry Roy
Zachary Neverdousky — McKinney High School — Science
Inspirational Teacher — Rhea Nordberg
Shreya Chougule — McKinney North High School — Science
Inspirational Teacher — Faisal Khan
Social Studies Honors
Hebbah Hussain — McKinney Boyd High School — Social Studies
Inspirational Teacher — Mikaela Schababerle
Andrew Indrea — McKinney High School — Social Studies
Inspirational Teacher — Richard McGowan
Riley Morriss — McKinney North High School — Social Studies
Inspirational Teacher — Stephanie Cusack
Mathematics Honors
Brylee Weisz — McKinney Boyd High School — Mathematics
Inspirational Teacher — Amy Heischman
Taro Higuchi — McKinney High School — Mathematics
Inspirational Teacher — Robert Mierow
Cayden Rios — McKinney North High School — Mathematics
Inspirational Teacher — Erica Trammell
Career & Technology Honors
Oliver Miller — McKinney Boyd High School — Career & Technology
Inspirational Teacher — James Martin
Samantha Moses — McKinney High School — Career & Technology
Inspirational Teacher — Jacob Parr
Isabelle Procaccini — McKinney North High School — Career & Technology
Inspirational Teacher — Jacob Mannis
Foreign Language Honors
Zaynah Farah — McKinney Boyd High School — Foreign Language
Inspirational Teacher — Mikaela Schababerle
Alicia Akinola — McKinney High School — Foreign Language
Inspirational Teacher — Gregory Shields
Nellie Romanchenko — McKinney North High School — Foreign Language
Inspirational Teacher — Lizbeth Testa
Fine Arts Honors
Andrea Dingui — McKinney Boyd High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Vanessa Santamaria
Addison Kinnon — McKinney Boyd High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Caris Dunn
Evie Miller — McKinney Boyd High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Samuel Thomas
Zalana Aguillard — McKinney High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Jeffrey Harvick
Drew Dossett — McKinney High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Jessica Lawrence
Ryan Hoppe — McKinney High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Ryan Kuster
Camila Alvarez Reyna — McKinney North High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Elizabeth Wright
William Ruthardt — McKinney North High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Connor Vaughn
Warner Yan — McKinney North High School — Fine Arts
Inspirational Teacher — Lamar Smith
Athletics Honors
Oliver Bryant — McKinney Boyd High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Chris Walker
Ava Simpson — McKinney Boyd High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Katie Abel
Johnny Allen — McKinney High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Ralph Rubalcaba
Keira Gallegos — McKinney High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Kristi Hager
Danny Forrester — McKinney North High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Jeffrey Sher
Gabriella Rodriguez — McKinney North High School — Athletics
Inspirational Teacher — Libby Rodriguez
At-Large Honors
Caleb McCoulskey — McKinney Boyd High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — Amy Harrington
EmilyKate Eckenrode — McKinney Boyd High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — Stefani Gundel
Daniel Nwaekwe — McKinney High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — Mark Bayer
Danielle Howard — McKinney High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — Cindy Erhart
Aiden Trusty — McKinney North High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — David Drueckhammer
Elijah Trusty — McKinney North High School — At-Large
Inspirational Teacher — Jessica Richards
Salutatorian Honors
Keira Bose — McKinney Boyd High School — Salutatorian
Inspirational Teacher — Jennifer Quigley
Carson Holland — McKinney High School — Salutatorian
Inspirational Teacher — Theresa Horvath
Sophie Yu — McKinney North High School — Salutatorian
Inspirational Teacher — Erica Trammell
Valedictorian Honors
Cole Wakefield — McKinney Boyd High School — Valedictorian
Inspirational Teacher — Megan Hart
Kammie Kristufek — McKinney High School — Valedictorian
Inspirational Teacher — Ryan Newhouse
Rafaela Zentner — McKinney North High School — Valedictorian
Inspirational Teacher — Lizbeth Testa
The Teacher Appreciation Tour hasn't slowed down! Our district leadership is still hitting the road, stopping at more campuses today to deliver some well-deserved high-fives. We’ve loved seeing the smiles on our teachers' faces, and we are so grateful for all that you do for the students in McKinney ISD! 🍎✨
This week, all grade levels at Caldwell Dual Language Academy are exploring the Texas Mobile STEM Lab. This custom-outfitted, mobile learning space provides our students with a unique environment to tackle engineering design challenges. As they work through activities developed by Learning Undefeated and the Texas Education Agency, students are collaborating to design innovative products and processes in real time.
Caldwell is hosting this visit after successfully submitting a competitive grant application. Out of 1,024 applications representing all 20 educational regions across Texas, Caldwell stands out as one of only 18 districts in Region 10 selected for this opportunity. This is a truly special experience for our students!
Tuesday night, McKinney ISD secondary campuses came together to host the PALS Special Olympics Carnival at Ron Poe Stadium. This collaborative, district-wide event is led by secondary PALS students and supported by student organizations, athletics, and fine arts programs from all three high schools to celebrate inclusion, community, and student leadership.
See video: https://youtu.be/56Oj9R-UX1c
Alyssa Norsworthy is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McClure Elementary. She is an art teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 4 years.
The celebration continues! We love nothing more than seeing the incredible work happening inside our classrooms firsthand. From early morning greetings to the high-energy learning throughout the day, we are constantly inspired by the dedication of our staff. 🍎✨
STEAM Night at Malvern!
Last night, our families teamed up to explore activities like robotics, coding, and art. The night also included a Cardboard Arcade Challenge, where students designed and built games out of cardboard, recycled materials, and imagination!
See video: https://youtu.be/9l0AmQBreTc
Sarah Pena is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Vega Elementary. She teaches 3rd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 23 years.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we are focusing on the importance of mental health education and access to care. Check in with yourself and the people around you. A simple conversation, a moment of rest, or reaching out for support can make a real difference. You're not alone, and help is always worth seeking.
Today we celebrate the incredible McKinney ISD school nurses who care for our students with compassion and dedication every day. They play a vital role in supporting the health, wellness, and academic success of our students. Thank you! You truly make a difference.
See video: https://youtu.be/IXMVGc1GjYY
Hailey is a 4-year theatre member and a 2-year varsity theatre member. She served as ITS Vice President and as ITS Troupe 3604 President, and she was a State Thespian Officer candidate. Hailey earned several awards, including Outstanding Lead Performer in Night Sky, Outstanding Leadership in a Production Role and Outstanding Performance in Hadestown.
Hailey currently has 4.0 GPA with 7 AP classes. She earned the AP Scholar with Honor award, and she received Outstanding Academic Achievement in theatre three times.
In her free time, Hailey is a member of North Texas Performing Arts where she was in the productions of Carrie and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
After graduation, Hailey plans to double major in BFA Musical Theatre and Forensic Psychology, or she may major in Theatre Education.
That’s Hailey Garms from McKinney High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
Our Superintendent, Assistant Superintendents, and Board of Trustees are hitting the road this week to celebrate our most valuable asset: our teachers! Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students. It’s an honor to support you! 🍎✨
This annual event encourages students and families to walk, bike, or roll to school together. Whether you are on a bike or walking with friends, it’s a great way to start the day!
See video: https://youtu.be/Uqb0U0KSmzM
Kelly Miller is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McNeil Elementary. She teaches 2nd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 8 years.
Thank you for your patience and endless belief in every student who walks through your door. You are amazing!
Today we recognize our testing coordinators and the incredible organization and behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly in McKinney ISD during testing season. Your attention to detail and commitment make a huge difference for students and schools alike. Thank you for all that you do!
See video: https://youtu.be/aKZpWycnhB0
Jessica Piecek is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Lawson Early Childhood School. She teaches bilingual pre-K head start, and she has worked as an educator for 4 years.
