Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) honored its 2024-2025 top educators with a surprise ceremony on May 9.
The Department’s Teacher of the Year, Courtney Atkinson, is a living example of professional growth in both the journey in education and specifically, at HCDE. As the Life Skills Department Lead Teacher at Academic and Behavior School West, Atkinson first joined #TeamHCDE as an educational aide III before earning her credentials and progressing to a relief teacher before her current role.
Reginald Wright, HCDE’s Educational Aide of the Year, is the son of a lifelong educator – his mother’s 30-plus years in education planted a seed that didn’t grow right away but later sprouted to his passion in shaping young minds. Also at ABS West, Wright serves as the school’s crisis team leader, a crucial role in ensuring a supportive environment for students with severe behavioral, emotional and developmental disabilities.
Both winners were gifted flowers and a Raising Cane’s gift basket. Additionally, each received a check worth $1,000 sponsored through the Education Foundation of Harris County and partners with Imagine Learning and PowerSchool.
Atkinson and Wright will join the other Teacher of the Year and Educational Aide of the Year nominees in being honored at HCDE’s Celebration of Excellence, scheduled for May 21.
HCDE has recognized a department-wide Teacher of the Year since 2018. The Educational Aide of the Year honor was added in 2019. The program recognizes educator excellence from HCDE’s four campuses.
Here’s a look at Atkinson and Wright and what makes them both deserving award recipients:
Teacher of the Year Courtney Atkinson Continues Educational Journey while Supporting Others
Atkinson calls ABS West family and reminded a room of her peers of that message after she was announced as HCDE’s Teacher of the Year. A native of California, her home campus and fellow staff members “adopted” her as their own, and she’s returned the gift by investing into them.
“I’ve pulled something from everyone here,” she said with tears in her eyes. “This is ours. It’s for me but this is ours. A lot of people do tell me how well I do and they appreciate me, but the honor was very unexpected and emotional.”
Atkinson’s educational journey continues beyond the classroom – while still supporting students and her fellow staffers. She’ll join the Special School Division next year as an instructional coach, using the spring semester to put those support skills into more use at ABS West.
“Wherever there’s a need for me to support, coach or mentor, that’s where I’ll be,” Atkinson said.
Educational Aide of the Year Reginald Wright Follows Mom’s Path to Pour into Students
Wright didn’t hesitate when asked about following his mother’s path into education – she spent 35 years in the field and led the Special Needs department at Houston Independent School District.
“I never thought I’d be working in education,” said Wright, who is in his sixth year at ABS following five years working at a group home. “It took my mother to pass for me to jump out.”
In short, Wright is a little bit of everything at ABS West. It’s normal for him to float from one class to another, or simply roam the halls to make sure the temperature of the students is stable.
“Wherever you need me, whenever you need me, I’m there,” he said. “I’m a parent myself and if I leave my kid somewhere, I’d want my kid to be safe at all times. So, when it comes to what I do for a living, that’s my calling and that’s my purpose.”