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Celeste Independent School District

SMALL DISTRICT, ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

TIA Recipients 2026-27

Josh Spoonemore: Giving Back to the Place That Shaped Him

Josh Spoonemore: Giving Back to the Place That Shaped Him

For Josh Spoonemore, returning to Celeste ISD was more than coming home — it was an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape who he is today. A 2003 graduate of Celeste High
Crawford Moore: Teaching Art, Building Confidence, and Leaving a Legacy

Crawford Moore: Teaching Art, Building Confidence, and Leaving a Legacy

For 34 years, Crawford Moore has been shaping not only art students, but lives, at Celeste ISD. A North Dallas native and graduate of Lake Highlands High School and East Texas State University,
Shannon Smith: Leading with Love, Patience, and Purpose

Shannon Smith: Leading with Love, Patience, and Purpose

For the past 13 years, Shannon Smith has dedicated her career at Celeste ISD to serving some of the students who need support, encouragement, and advocacy the most. With a bachelor’s degree in
Lynda Gatliff: A Classroom Filled with Wonder, Joy, and Love

Lynda Gatliff: A Classroom Filled with Wonder, Joy, and Love

For more than 30 years, Lynda Gatliff has dedicated her life to teaching young children, and in that time she has helped shape generations of students through love, laughter, creativity, and endless
Theresa Moore: Excellence That Reaches Beyond the Classroom

Theresa Moore: Excellence That Reaches Beyond the Classroom

Theresa Moore’s impact as an educator is both powerful and far-reaching, and her recognition through the Teacher Incentive Allotment is a reflection of the excellence she brings to her work each
Ashley Taylor: Creating a Place Where Every Child Feels Seen

Ashley Taylor: Creating a Place Where Every Child Feels Seen

With 26 years in education, Ashley Taylor has built a career rooted in connection, care, and a genuine love for children. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, she has taught
Alesha Bayiha: Perseverance, Excellence, and Hope for the Future

Alesha Bayiha: Perseverance, Excellence, and Hope for the Future

For Alesha Bayiha, teaching mathematics at Celeste High School is about far more than numbers and equations. It is about perseverance, resilience, and creating opportunities — both for her students
Melody Lloyd: Continuing to Make a Difference

Melody Lloyd: Continuing to Make a Difference

For Melody Lloyd, teaching has never simply been a job — it has been a lifelong commitment to helping students grow, succeed, and believe in themselves. And while she could have retired in December,
Kathy Hise: Bringing Joy, Innovation, and Opportunity to Students and Family

Kathy Hise: Bringing Joy, Innovation, and Opportunity to Students and Family

Kathy Hise is known for many things at Celeste ISD — her kindness, her sense of humor, her love of technology and science, and the positive energy she brings everywhere she goes. She is the kind of
Kristi Campbell: Growing Confidence, Opportunity, and Impact

Kristi Campbell: Growing Confidence, Opportunity, and Impact

For Kristi Campbell, the Teacher Incentive Allotment has meant far more than financial recognition — it has been a powerful reminder that the work she pours into her students each day truly matters.
Greg McFee: Quiet Leadership, Lasting Impact

Greg McFee: Quiet Leadership, Lasting Impact

For 30 years, Greg McFee has faithfully dedicated his career to teaching mathematics and helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom. With a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a
Crystal Brown: A Heart for Celeste and a Legacy of Service

Crystal Brown: A Heart for Celeste and a Legacy of Service

For 25 years, Crystal Brown has been a steady, hardworking, and deeply loved part of Celeste ISD. A proud Celeste alumna, Crystal graduated from East Texas with a degree in Business and Finance
Kara Broyles: Helping Little Learners Reach Their Full Potential

Kara Broyles: Helping Little Learners Reach Their Full Potential

Kara Broyles is the kind of kindergarten teacher who pours her whole heart into her students each and every day. Now in her second year as a designated TIA teacher, Kara continues to make a
Lydia Hinnard: Helping Students Believe in Themselves

Lydia Hinnard: Helping Students Believe in Themselves

With 14 years of teaching experience, Lydia Hinnard has dedicated her career to helping students grow both academically and personally. She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in
Jalen Rector: Helping Students Believe in What They Can Achieve

Jalen Rector: Helping Students Believe in What They Can Achieve

As a graduate of Celeste ISD, Jalen Rector knows firsthand the strength and heart of the Blue Devil community. Now, as a Special Education teacher, he is giving back to the same district that helped
Erica Waller: Investing in Students, Family, and Lifelong Learning

Erica Waller: Investing in Students, Family, and Lifelong Learning

As a science teacher at Celeste ISD, Erica Waller brings passion, purpose, and dedication into her classroom every day. For Erica, teaching is more than delivering lessons — it is about creating
Bret Willis: Supporting Students and Family with Dedication and Heart

Bret Willis: Supporting Students and Family with Dedication and Heart

As a middle school math teacher and Tennis Coach at Celeste ISD, Bret Willis has spent years investing in students, helping them build confidence, problem-solving skills, and perseverance both
Strength, Resilience, and High Expectations: A Teacher Students Never Forget

Jamie D'Amico: Strength, Resilience, and High Expectations: A Teacher Students Never Forget

Some teachers are remembered because students liked their class. Others are remembered because students left stronger, smarter, and more capable than when they entered. This middle school ELAR
Krista Falco: Building a Future Through Dedication and Hard Work

Krista Falco: Building a Future Through Dedication and Hard Work

For Krista Falco, the Teacher Incentive Allotment has brought more than financial support — it has helped create new opportunities and lasting stability for her family’s future. Through her
Juliet Miller: Helping Students Believe in Their Possibilities

Juliet Miller: Helping Students Believe in Their Possibilities

With more than 20 years of experience in education, Juliet Miller has dedicated her career to supporting students with compassion, patience, and unwavering belief in their potential. Serving
Hannah Clark: Continuing a Legacy of Love for Celeste ISD

Hannah Clark: Continuing a Legacy of Love for Celeste ISD

Hannah Clark: Continuing a Legacy of Love for Celeste ISD For Hannah Clark, Celeste ISD is more than a workplace — it is part of her story. As a proud alumna and the daughter of a former Celeste
Nadine Rayborne: Helping Students Know They Matter

Nadine Rayborne: Helping Students Know They Matter

With 23 years of teaching experience, Nadine Rayborne has dedicated her career to making sure students feel seen, supported, and capable of success. A graduate of Texas Woman’s University with a
Meghan Coursey: Helping Students Grow with Confidence and Purpose

Meghan Coursey: Helping Students Grow with Confidence and Purpose

In just three years of teaching, Megan Coursey has already made a meaningful impact on the students and community of Celeste ISD. A graduate of Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in
Eli Elliott: Lighting the Way for Student Success

Eli Elliott: Lighting the Way for Student Success

In his six years of teaching, Eli Elliott has already made a lasting impact at Celeste ISD by doing what great educators do best — helping students discover what they are capable of. With a
Clint Norwood: Turning Struggles into Strength for Every Student

Clint Norwood: Turning Struggles into Strength for Every Student

With 23 years in education, including 13 at Celeste ISD, Clint Norwood brings a deeply personal and powerful purpose to his work — one rooted in perseverance, empathy, and unwavering belief in his