LU alumni dominate Beaumont ISD Teachers of the Year honors

Beaumont Independent School District has named its campus-level Teachers of the Year for the 2026–2027 school year, with 20 of the 26 honorees identified as graduates of Lamar University.

The district announced the Teachers of the Year selections this week, and Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year will be announced at a gala scheduled for May 1, 2026.

Among the Lamar University alumni honored is Monroe T. Pierre Jr., a career and technical education teacher at Beaumont United High School who earned a bachelor of science in computer science from Lamar in 1992. A’Riona (Robinson) Rawlins, a teacher at Bingman Head Start, earned a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Lamar University in 2021.

Also recognized were Shaylyn Young, a teacher at Blanchette Elementary School and a 2019 Lamar graduate with a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies, and Amanda (Delgado) Magdaleno, a fourth-grade teacher at Caldwood Elementary School who earned a bachelor of applied arts and sciences from Lamar in 2013. Sharon (Syrie) Carrington of Dishman Elementary School earned a bachelor of music in 1981 and a Master of Education in 1990 from Lamar University.

Additional Lamar alumni named campus Teachers of the Year include Pamela “Pam” (Jones) Chavis, a teacher at Fehl-Price Elementary School and a 2010 graduate with a bachelor of applied arts and sciences; Baylee (Campbell) Davis, a teacher at Fletcher Elementary School who is completing a master of education in special education from Lamar University in fall 2025; and Claydra Woodside, a teacher at Guess Elementary School who earned a bachelor of general studies from Lamar in 2019.

Others honored include Elizabeth (Jones) Buxton, a teacher at Homer Drive Elementary School and a 2010 Lamar graduate with a bachelor of applied arts and sciences; and Ursula Thomas, a teacher at Jones-Clark Elementary School who earned a bachelor of applied arts and sciences from Lamar in 2016.

Secondary and specialized campus honorees who are Lamar University alumni include Jodi (Beasley) Broussard, a teacher at King Collegiate Academy who earned a bachelor of science in dance from Lamar in 1996; Yolanda (Isom) Smith, a teacher at Marshall Middle School who earned a bachelor of science in elementary education from Lamar in 1991; and Matthew Bean, a teacher at Smith Middle School who earned a bachelor of general studies in 2003 and a master of education in administration in 2014 from Lamar University.

Also recognized were Jessica Chambers, a math teacher at Vincent Middle School who earned a bachelor of general studies from Lamar University in 2012; Lauren Simmons, a teacher at Pathways Alternative Learning Center who earned a master of education in administration from Lamar in 2024; and Helen Sutton-Tegbe, a teacher at Paul Brown Learning Center who earned an associate of applied science in business data processing from Lamar in 1980.

Rounding out the list are Genia (Melton) Miles, a teacher at Pietzsch-MacArthur for grades prekindergarten through five who earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies from Lamar in 2013; Lorita (Tyler) Chambers, a teacher at Pietzsch-MacArthur for grades six through eight who earned a bachelor of science in sociology from Lamar in 2003; and Dephane (Hollier) Wilson, a teacher at Regina-Howell Elementary School who earned a bachelor of science in interdisciplinary studies from Lamar in 2009.

The campus honorees will advance in the district’s selection process, with the top elementary and secondary teachers to be announced in May 2026.

Many of the Lamar University graduates recognized are alumni of the university’s College of Education and Human Development, which prepares educators for classrooms across Southeast Texas and beyond.

To learn more, visit https://www.lamar.edu/education/.