Austin, Texas, August 19, 2024—Teach Plus Texas congratulates Alexis Gage, a 9th grade biology teacher at Chavez High School in Houston, for receiving a $30,000 grant as part of the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award from the Kinder Foundation, and JoMeka Gray, a kindergarten teacher at Kennedy-Powell STEM Academy in Temple, for being named the 2025 Region 12 Elementary Teacher of the Year and regional nominee for Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year.
“These educators exemplify teacher leadership,” said Kevin Malonson, Teach Plus Texas Executive Director. “As teacher leaders, Alexis and JoMeka spend every day in their classrooms and in their communities growing opportunities for their students. Teach Plus is proud to have these excellent educators in our policy fellowship program, advocating for changes that help to improve our system for all Texas students.”
Ms. Gray, in her second year as a Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow, teaches English language arts and reading, math, science, and social studies. She is an ambassador for the Teacher Incentive Allotment Committee for Temple Independent School District. Her dedication to innovative teaching and ability to ignite academic growth and community involvement were cited as reasons for her recent accolade.
Ms. Gage, who also is a second-year Teach Plus Policy Fellow, serves as the biology lead teacher and volleyball and softball coach at her school. She is a Teach for America Houston alumna. The grant she received recognizes Houston-area teachers for innovative, effective teaching.
About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning, to create an education system driven by access and excellence for all. https://teachplus.org/tx/
Alexis Gage (center)
Jomeka Gray (second from right)
