The Decatur High School Auditorium was packed with laughter, tears of joy, and a whole lot of Eagle pride as district employees gathered for our 2026 End-of-Year Celebration.
From honoring decades of dedication to celebrating the educators who make our classrooms soar, we have so much to be proud of.
Decades of Dedication: Service Pin Milestones
We are deeply grateful for the staff members who choose to invest their time, passion, and purpose into our students year after year. A special shoutout to our absolute powerhouse, Mr. Melvin Taylor, for clocking in an astonishing 45 years of service!
Recipients for continuous years of service and employment at Decatur ISD include:
10 Years: Jenna Barthold, Sarah Flatt, Brittany Drake, Cherie Hocevar, Celina Howerton, Morgan Warner, and Sheila Marshall.
15 Years: Maria Inguanzo, Michelle Foreman, Melissa McAlister, Efren Diaz, Stephanie Fothergill, and De Bec (Patty) Perez.
20 Years: Griselda Lopez, Araceli Reta, Lisa Hicks, and DeDe Diaczenko.
25 Years: Partricia Martizez and Alicia Padron.
45 Years: Melvin Taylor.
Wishing Our Retirees the Best "Rock On" Next Chapter!
Our retirees' longevity, commitment, and heart have left an indelible mark on our district.
Marsha Faires (4 years) at Rann.
Bruce Rasco (7 years) at Decatur High School.
Rebecca Matthew (7 years) at McCarroll.
Maria Mancilla (11 years) at McCarroll.
Sonya Holloway (14 years) at McCarroll.
Rose Ramsey (23 years) in the Department of Technology.
Joey Rowan (24 years) at STEM.
2025–2026 Award Nominees & Winners
Substitute Teachers of the Year, sponsored by Elevated Exteriors
Thank you for stepping into our classrooms at a moment's notice with endless grace and enthusiasm.
Elementary winner: Giselle Gutierrez (regular sub at Rann Elementary).
Secondary winner: Mary Howard (regular sub at McCarroll Middle School).
Mission Maker Award, sponsored by the Decatur Education Foundation
The campus cafeteria team leads, including Patty Tolbert, Lissa Lambert, Dana Schimmels, Judith Fabela, and Tracie Eubanks.
Classroom Cornerstone (Paraprofessional of the Year), sponsored by iCOPY
Campus winners: Meagan Walter, Jennifer Ashmore, Katie Morris, Misty Diaz, Maria Alvarez, Traci Peacock, and Kristina Golightly.
District Winner: Katie Morris at the STEM Academy at Enis Elementary.
SOAR New Teacher of the Year, sponsored by Parker Properties
District Winner: Alyssa Kemp (Decatur High School)
Elementary Teacher of the Year, sponsored by James Wood Motors
Campus nominees at the elementary level: Katelyn Crowell (Carson), Sarah Whetsell (Rann), Courtney Gay (STEM), Tracie Finstad (Young).
District winner at the elementary level Winner: Katelyn Crowell (Carson Elementary).
Secondary Teacher of the Year, sponsored by James Wood Motors
Campus nominees at the secondary level: Leanna Mosley (McCarroll), DeDe Diaczenko (McCarroll, Raegan Bayless (Decatur High School), and Britainy Wheeler (Decatur High School).
District winner at the secondary level: Britainy Wheeler (Decatur High School).
Congratulations again to all the nominees and award recipients for the 2025-26 school year, and thank you to our event sponsors for funding monetary awards for the recipients.