COLDSPRING — The teachers, staff and support employees in the Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD were honored in several categories during a recent ceremony.
Kourtney Bennett was named District Elementary School Teacher of the Year, while Alicia Plock was named District Secondary School Teacher of the Year. The two were presented with plaques and checks for $1,000.
Each campus had its top teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals receiving awards, as well as employees receiving recognition for longevity and even retirement.
2025-26 award winners
Coldspring-Oakhurst Consolidated Independent School District
Perfect Attendance
Michelle Birmingham, Linda Blanks, Robert Blanks, Linda Brooks, Melinda Buchek, Kristi Byrd, Tammy Caldwell, Linda Chambers, Donald Hallam, Skylar Holman, Falvie Ivory, Carl McGowen, Herbert McKinney, Laura Moyer, Nicole Orsack, Amy Ortego, Fred Phlegm, Jacqueline Randell, Davis Rauschenberger, Tasha Reed, Shea Rhames, Reginald Ryans, Susan Smith, Dawna Trim-Minor, Marco Ulloa, Shalonda Washington
Service Awards
5 years: Julie Bass, Andrew Browne, Monica Garza, Mary Jenke, Christian Johnston, Krystal Leach, Summer Lee, Crystal Mills, Jason Payne, Jennifer Scott, Thomas Snook, Bryan Taulton, Patti Wolsey, Megan Wood
10 years: Regina Dominy, Fred Phlegm, Dusty Pierce, Echo Roach, Laura Yeager
15 years: Heidi Alexander
20 Years: Kristi Byrd, Linda Chambers, Angela Erlanson, Melanie Palmer
25 years: Tracy Blair, Jennifer Rudloff, Rhonda Thorne, Beverly Tucker
35 years: Cindy Elliott
Department/Campus Employees of the Year
Ana Cisneros, Custodial Department Employee of the Year
Robert Blanks, Floor Crew Employee of the Year
Phillip Pegoda, Transportation Department Employee of the Year
Julie Bass, Child Nutrition Department Employee of the Year
Fred Phlegm, Maintenance & Grounds Department Employee of the Year
Melanie Jackson, Instructional Support Staff Employee of the Year
Laura Yeager, District Support Staff Employee of the Year
Paula McClendon, Administrative Support Staff Employee of the Year
Candy Yeager, Administrative Support Staff Employee of the Year
Maghen Pearson, James Street Elementary Paraprofessional of the Year
Savannah Stoneberger, Coldspring Intermediate Paraprofessional of the Year
Crystal Mills, Lincoln Junior High Paraprofessional of the Year
Fannie Ellisor, Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Paraprofessional of the Year
Campus Teachers of the Year
Kourtney Bennett, James Street Elementary Teacher of the Year
Crystal Campbell, Coldspring Intermediate Teacher of the Year
Alicia Plock, Lincoln Junior High Teacher of the Year
Anne Gallmeier, Coldspring-Oakhurst High School Teacher of the Year
District Teachers of the Year
Elementary Teacher of the Year – Kourtney Bennett
Secondary Teacher of the Year – Alicia Plock
Retirements
Dorothy McKinney, 17 years
Amelia Allen, 18 years
Missy Eichman, 30 years
Candy Yeager, 31 years
Debbie Gladden, 42 years
