Anita McKeague, a fourth grade reading and language arts teacher at Elm Grove Elementary, is the 2026-2027 Humble Independent School District and Elementary Teacher of the Year. Champale Thomas, a ninth grade English teacher and coach at Summer Creek High School, is the 2026-2027 Secondary Teacher of the Year.
McKeague won a $10,000 check sponsored by Robbins Auto and Thomas won a $5,000 check sponsored by GTS Technology Solutions at the Humble ISD Education Foundation Boots and Bling Gala held at Stampede Houston on April 10.
McKeague is in her 17th year of teaching and for the past seven years has been at Elm Grove Elementary as a fourth grade reading and language arts teacher.
For McKeague, great teaching begins with love: love for students, their stories, and the unique gifts each child brings into the classroom. She is passionate about helping students feel valued, capable, and seen. McKeague’s philosophy centers on building strong relationships and helping each student use their strengths to grow as readers, writers, and thinkers.
Known for designing engaging, real-world learning experiences, McKeague creates opportunities for students to connect learning to their interests and the world around them. She has implemented innovative projects such as using Minecraft to build historical settings, while strengthening collaboration and problem-solving skills.
When traditional approaches did not fully engage every learner, she began developing hands-on lessons that tap into creativity, curiosity,and student voice. By focusing on each student’s strengths, she helps learners build confidence and perseverance both academically and personally.
Beyond the classroom, McKeague serves as the campus PTA Liaison, strengthening the connection between families and the school. She has also led staff development sessions focused on designing engaging lessons that support student success. McKeague believes that when students feel known and supported, they are empowered to discover their potential and pursue their goals with confidence.
As she often reminds herself and others, “Love what you teach, but love WHO you teach more.”
Thomas is in her 11th year of teaching and for the past four years has been at Summer Creek High School and is a 9th Grade English I teacher and the assistant volleyball and basketball coach.
Thomas is passionate about developing critical thinkers and productive members of society. She believes that every child has the potential to succeed, and her purpose as an educator has always been to help students reach their fullest potential both academically and personally.
Thomas makes her lessons engaging and relevant by connecting literature and writing to everyday life. She creates an environment where students feel supported, encouraged, and empowered to take risks, make mistakes, and ultimately achieve greatness. By setting high standards and equipping students with the tools and skills needed to meet them, she inspires students to strive for excellence.
In addition to her classroom impact, Thomas has demonstrated leadership by serving as the co-lead for the English I team and as a member of the Campus Instructional Leadership Team. She also spearheaded an initiative to improve SPED documentation to better serve students with diverse learning needs.
Thomas helped coach the Lady Bulldogs to back-back State Championships as well as winning District Champs in both volleyball and basketball in previous years.
Balancing her roles as a mother, coach, and teacher has required perseverance and dedication, but it has strengthened her commitment to ensuring that her passion and purpose always align with doing what is best for students.
Each year during the spring semester, Humble ISD schools choose a Teacher of the Year for its campus. The 2026-2027 Finalists and District Teachers of the Year were chosen by a district selection committee based upon essays and interviews in February and March.
All district Teacher of the Year Finalists were honored on stage and received a Teacher of the Year ring, courtesy of Dilly Campus Supply.
The Humble ISD Education Foundation funds grants for innovative learning projects throughout the district. The Foundation has awarded $20.6 million in education grants since it was founded in 1999.
Elementary Finalists
Anita McKeague - Elm Grove Elementary, Fourth Grade RELA
Monica Suastes - Humble Elementary, Second Grade Bilingual
Narocka Bolden - Lakeland Elementary, Fifth Grade Reading & Social Studies
Marina Tiscareno - Oak Forest Elementary, First Grade Bilingual
Lindsey Munn - Shadow Forest Elementary, Second Grade
Secondary Finalists
Rebecca Shepherd - Creekwood Middle School, Science
Ashley Williams - Humble Middle School, Math
Jillian Elolf - Kingwood Middle School, Social Studies
Evan Farmer - Kingwood Park High School, Orchestra
Champale Thomas - Summer Creek High School, English