The Chamber’s 18th Annual Back to School Luncheon was held on August 8, 2019 at the Seekatz Opera House in downtown New Braunfels. The luncheon is a program of the Chamber’s Business and Education Partnership (BEP) Committee. The purpose of this event is to recognize and honor area Teachers of the Year from more than 13 schools and school districts in the central Texas area.

The event is sponsored by area businesses to provide no charge to the teachers. The honorees are joined by family members, campus and central office administrators and school board members. The BEP committee members are involved in the planning and program for the day, and the teachers are presented with a certificate and yellow rose.

In an effort to show support for the schools in New Braunfels and Comal County, the BEP Committee created this event as a way to connect business and education thus achieving the goals of the Chamber’s committee. The honorees are selected by their home schools, and then compete at the district level for primary, elementary, and secondary Teacher of the Year, where some of these local teachers are forwarded to the Regional Level as nominees.

This Chamber event showcases the heart and soul of public education—the teachers! This year’s honorees are shown below. For more information on this committee, or any of the Chamber’s committees, visit www.CommitteesInNewBraunfels.com.

Wendy Zamzow, District Teacher of the Year, Boerne ISD

Rishanne Frech, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Comal ISD

Tyler Clements, Secondary Teacher of the Year, Comal ISD

Cassandra Hemphill, CIS Pacesetter of the Year, Communities In Schools South Central Texas

Kimberly Garcia, Primary Teacher of the Year (Krueger Campus), Marion ISD

Rachel Zimmerman, Primary Teacher of the Year (Karrer Campus), Marion ISD

Jodi Heyen Smith, Middle School Teacher of the Year, Marion ISD

Clint Bingham, High School Teacher of the Year, Marion ISD

Erik Woods, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Navarro ISD

Katie Rietz, Intermediate Teacher of the Year, Navarro ISD

Mike Thompson, Junior High School Teacher of the Year, Navarro ISD

Sarah Halton, High School Teacher of the Year, Navarro ISD

Jane Stewart, Elementary Teacher of the Year, New Braunfels Christian Academy

Jennifer Basso, Middle School Teacher of the Year, New Braunfels Christian Academy

Amy Douglas, High School Teacher of the Year, New Braunfels Christian Academy

Shelby Atchley, Elementary Teacher of the Year, New Braunfels ISD

Trent Wenzel, Secondary Teacher of the Year, New Braunfels ISD

Sharon Jones, Teacher of the Year, Premier High School of New Braunfels

Michelle Sandoval, Elementary Teacher of the Year, San Marcos Consolidated ISD

Brenda Voyles, Secondary Teacher of the Year, San Marcos Consolidated ISD

Carolyn Connelley, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

Becky Williams, Secondary Teacher of the Year, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

Serena Georges-Penny, Norma Paschal Commitment to Children Award Winner, Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD

Candace Hartmann, Elementary Teacher of the Year, Seguin ISD

Laci Stamm, Secondary Teacher of the Year, Seguin ISD

Martha Sweeney, Teacher of the Year, St. John Paul II Catholic High School

Jana Proff, Teacher of the Year, Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School