25th Annual H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards to give more than $1 million in cash prizes, nominations open 

SAN ANTONIO, Texas—

     To commemorate 25 years of excellence in education, H-E-B will award more than $1 million in cash prizes to Texas educators and their schools through the 2027 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program. Nominations are now open, and anyone can nominate their favorite teacher, counselor, principal, school district, school board or early childhood facility and help them win their share of more than $1 million. Nominations are open until September 30, 2026 at HEBLovesTeachers.com/nominate. 

     Since the awards program began in 2002, H-E-B has awarded more than $15 million to outstanding Texas public school professionals who have gone the extra mile to serve their students and their communities. 

     “For 25 years, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards have celebrated Texas educators whose commitment reaches far beyond the classroom,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. “Their dedication to strengthening our communities and preparing the next generation of Texas leaders reflects the very best of public education. In this milestone year, H-E-B is proud to increase our investment in the people and institutions driving meaningful, long-term impact across Texas.”

    The increased cash prizes for 2027 winners and their schools are: 

• The Rising Star Award—one elementary and one secondary teacher with less than 10 years of experience will receive a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 check for their schools. 

• The Leadership Award—one elementary and one secondary teacher with 10 to 20 years of experience will receive a $15,000 check for themselves and a $15,000 check for their schools. 

• The Lifetime Achievement Award—one elementary and one secondary teacher with more than 20 years of experience will receive a $30,000 check for themselves and $30,000 check for their schools. 

• Two counselors—one elementary and one secondary—each will receive a $15,000 check for themselves and a $20,000 check for their school. 

• Two principals—one elementary and one secondary—each will receive a $15,000 check for themselves and a $30,000 check for their school.

• One early childhood facility will receive $50,000. 

• One school board will receive $50,000. 

• One small school district will receive $75,000. 

• One large school district will receive $150,000.  

     All state-certified public school educators currently teaching in Texas are eligible for the awards program, as well as Texas early childhood education centers/schools. Eligibility is not dependent on proximity to H-E-B store locations. 

     Educators who are nominated will receive an invitation to apply before November 1, 2026. While a nomination is not required to apply for an award, a nomination lets an educator know they are appreciated and should apply for the awards program.

     Finalists and winners will be selected by a panel of judges composed of educators, administrators and community leaders throughout the state. Ten winners—six teachers, two counselors and two principals—along with an early childhood facility, public school board and two school districts, will be announced at an awards ceremony in Austin in Spring 2027. Each award recipient’s school will also receive a matching grant.