Whether it was Ann Petty, a music therapist completing her 33rd year with Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), or Educational Aide Rockette Simpson, who started at Fortis Academy in February, their feelings were similar.

As employees gathered May 20 for the Department’s fourth annual Celebration of Excellence banquet, many reflected on the impact of working for an organization that not only supports learners of all ages across Harris County, but also pours into its staff and truly honors their achievements and commitment to serve the community.

“This feels amazing and just means a great deal,” Petty said. “I tell my friends when things are happening to me and they’ll say I definitely work for an organization that honors people.”

Added Simpson, who joined HCDE after stops in teaching and working for the city and state: “I know I just got here but I want to be impactful.”

In total, 41 employees from HCDE’s five instructional divisions – Adult Education, Head Start, Special Schools, School-Based Therapy Services and the Center for Afterschool, Summer and Enrichment (CASE) for Kids – and the 2025-2026 Employees of the Month were recognized. Each received certificates of appreciation in front of colleagues and loved ones, smiling for photos and taking in the cheers.

“It is a blessing to lead this organization but the biggest blessing I have are the people I get to work with who are as passionate as I am about working with special needs students, adult education students and little, little children,” Superintendent James Colbert Jr. said during opening remarks. “Those you’ll hear about were selected by their colleagues and recognized as the exception.”

What shows with Petty and Simpson sharing the same stage is HCDE recruits staff members who can make an immediate presence, have a lasting impact and all things in between.

Six honorees have at least 16 years of service to HCDE, including Petty and Rolanda Ates, the Head Start teaching assistant of the year celebrating her silver anniversary (25 years).

A whopping 24 have five years of service or less, meaning division leaders and Human Resources are identifying talented individuals to jump right in and continue the outstanding work being done across HCDE.

“It feels amazing to work at a place like this,” said Dotwaun Harris, honored as the Highpoint School and HCDE Educational Aide of the Year. “I feel grateful and thankful for the staff I work with and to be part of the HCDE team.”

Colbert closed the evening by sharing his gratitude for the honorees with their loved ones in attendance and again thanking employees for continuously committing their lives to better those of Harris County students and communities.

“I hope you saw how special they are and how special the divisions they represent are,” Colbert said. “Just as personal as all this is to me, the people who came up here have a story of why it’s personal to them. They could work at any place they want to or probably make more money doing something else, but for whatever reason, they chose to do what they do and chose to do it with us. That’s what makes it special.”