By Public Communications
Anita McKeauge immediately covered her face in disbelief as screams of joy surrounded her.
The Elm Grove Elementary fourth grade teacher had just been named the 2027 Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
“It was just surreal,” McKeague said in an interview with Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown. “The moment didn’t feel like it really happened. Once I stood up on the stage and I had some time to let it sink in, I just felt so proud.
“Proud of all of Texas to see all the great things that are happening in Humble ISD.”
The announcement was made on Thursday, August 6, at the annual Region 4 Teacher of the Year Luncheon.
McKeague was a finalist for the Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year award just months after winning the 2026-2027 Humble ISD District Teacher of the Year honor.
McKeague will now advance to represent Humble ISD and Region 4 as a Texas Teacher of the Year Finalist. Each year, 40 Regional Teachers of the Year are considered for the Texas Teacher of the Year Award.
“Being able to represent Elm Grove and Humble ISD as Region 4 Teacher of the Year is not simply an honor,” McKeague said. “It is a privilege to represent thousands of exceptional educators whose dedication changes lives every day. It is a reminder that the work we do for children truly matters.”
Additionally at the event, Summer Creek High School 9th grade English teacher and coach Champale Thomas was honored by Region 4. Thomas was chosen as the 2026-2027 Humble ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year in April.
About Region 4
As the largest Texas education service center, Region 4 provides services to 46 school districts and 42 charter schools, representing more than 1.2 million students and 108,136 professional educators. Region 4 provides nationally recognized professional development; technical assistance services; and high-quality, economical products for school districts and charter schools.
Humble ISD has had a finalist for the Region 4 Teacher of the Year for four-straight years and has had a teacher win the top honor in two of those.
2026-2027: Anita McKeague, Elm Grove Elementary - Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year
2025-2026: Aimee Harris, Whispering Pines Elementary (Elementary Finalist); Cassandra DeBottis, Kingwood Park High School (Secondary Finalist)
2024-2025: Jasmine Thomas, Autumn Creek Elementary - (Elementary Finalist)
2023-2024: Susan Mitchell, Groves Elementary - Region 4 Elementary Teacher of the Year
Photo Caption: Pictured above at the Region 4 Teacher of the Year Luncheon is Humble ISD Superintendent Dr. Roger Brown, Elm Grove Elementary Principal Cassie Pfeifer, Region 4 Chief of Strategic District Support Paul Castro, Elm Grove 4th Grade teacher Anita McKeague, ABC13’s Rita Garcia, Summer Creek High School Principal Dr. Matthew Mahony, Summer Creek High School 9th grade teacher and coach Champale Thomas, Humble ISD Assistant Superintendent of High Schools Dr. Todd Hicks and Humble ISD Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools Christy Erb.