The Houston Area Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) recently celebrated the contributions of local teachers who make a difference in students’ lives. Four HCDE educators were honored as nominees for 2025 Teacher of the Year at the organization’s annual Teacher Awards & Recognition Ceremony on Jan. 16.  

Courtney Atkinson from ABS West, Elijah Chenier from ABS East, Arial Coates from Fortis Academy and Broderick Wyatt from Highpoint School were honored alongside hundreds of teachers across the Houston area. Teachers were nominated by their respective campus principals for the award, which recognizes the work done to impact the lives of students in our community.  

The Education Foundation of Harris County sponsored a table at the event, which aided in seating some of the more than a dozen members of #TeamHCDE who attended in support of the Department’s outstanding educators. They included Superintendent James Colbert Jr., Assistant Superintendent for Academic Support Services Jonathan Parker, Special Schools Senior Director Dr. Charles Ned and more.  

This is the seventh year HCDE teachers have been acknowledged through HAABSE.