East Texas teachers recognized at Teachers of the Year event

KILGORE, Texas ( KETK ) – Dozens of educators across East Texas were celebrated Thursday afternoon at the Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore at their regional 2025 Teachers of the Year ceremony.

“When you love what you do, you don’t work a day in your life,” Diana Smith, from Edgewood ISD, said.

The Region 7 Education Service Center in Kilgore brought more than 40 East Texas teachers together, to honor them for their work over the last school year.

“It’s nice to have this day to see all these other teachers and just be able to appreciate what we do,” Cheli Vasquez, Jacksonville ISD teacher, said.

Vasquez, an art teacher with Jacksonville ISD, was named the secondary teacher of the year.

“It was just a shock. I wasn’t expecting it for sure but it does mean a lot,” Vasquez said.

Diana Smith, an instructional coach and STEM teacher at Edgewood ISD, was awarded elementary teacher of the year.

“Wow, I couldn’t believe it! It’s because I can reach out and touch all of those students and I feel I can make a difference,” said Smith.

Both teachers were each awarded more than $1,250 and will be nominated for the Texas Teacher of the Awards Ceremony, later this year.

“We are the constant key because they come to school and we can reach out and touch their lives,” said Smith.

In the meantime, they are excited to get back to school and do what they do best.

“We teach kids that go into all different professions, and so it’s a pretty important job,” said Vasquez.

The educators are proud to be lead East Texas students to a very bright future.

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