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Elgin Independent School District recognized its campus educators and named districtwide elementary and secondary honorees during its end-of-year celebration May 22.
Deja Pool, a life skills teacher at Neidig Elementary School, was named Elementary Teacher of the year. Christy Gruetzner, a seventh grade math and pre-algebra teacher at Elgin Middle School, earned Secondary Teacher of the Year honors.
“Winning District Teacher of the Year is more than an award — it is a reminder that the long days, hard work and the love poured into students truly matter,” Pool said. “I am honored to represent a profession that changes lives every single day.”
Gruetzner said her connection to the Elgin community began long before she became a teacher.
“I used to drive by EMS and think, ‘I want to be there’,” Gruetzner said. “It is an honor to teach for this district and watch our children learn and grow into adulthood.”
District officials said Gruetzner’s recognition marks back-to-back years that teachers from EMS have won District Teacher of the Year awards.
Elementary and secondary district honorees are selected from the campus Teachers of the Year and will represent Elgin ISD at the Region 13 Teacher of the Year luncheon, where they will be eligible for Regional Teacher of the Year recognition.
According to officials, each campus selects its honoree through a peer vote that evaluates educators on their ability to inspire diverse learners, contribute to school and community life, and demonstrate strong communication and leadership skills. Campus honorees included Paula Birran of Booker T. Washington Elementary School, Michelle Gonzales of Elgin Elementary School, Laci Bane of Harvest Ridge Elementary School, Christian Nuncio of Trinity Ranch Elementary School, Deloras Overstreet of Elgin Intermediate School, Charles Hodge of Elgin High School and Karla Arce Sanchez, who was named Employee of the Year at Phoenix High School.
