Kilgore, Texas - Region 7 Education Service Center is honored to announce that Jackie Terry from Gilmer ISD and Shyrah Jones from Troup ISD have been named Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year for Region 7. Both educators will represent Region 7 as semifinalists for the 2026 Texas Teacher of the Year competition.
Terry and Jones were nominated by their local school districts for their exceptional dedication to student achievement, innovative efforts to enhance classroom instruction, and lasting contributions to the advancement of education.
Elementary Teacher of the Year, Jackie Terry, is a dedicated Pre-K educator at Gilmer Early Childhood Center in Gilmer, Texas. With over 15 years of experience in early childhood education, Mrs. Terry is known for her nurturing classroom environment, hands-on learning approach, and unwavering belief that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered to succeed. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from UT Tyler and has completed both Texas School Ready CIRCLE grant training and Montessori training. Her impact extends beyond the classroom; she has served as a grade-level lead, earned multiple “Teacher of the Month” honors, and is a two-time Teacher of the Year at both the campus and district level.
Terry spends her time as an early childhood teacher by fostering relationships in the community, which create meaningful learning environments for her students. “One of the most powerful ways I help connect my students with their community is by creating intentional experiences that bring families into the learning process and help them become active partners in their child’s educational journey,” says Terry. “By intentionally dissolving the walls between school and home, I help my students see that learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. These connections not only enhance academic achievement but also foster a lifelong love of learning rooted in relationships, trust, and joy.”
“We are so excited that Mrs. Terry has been named Region 7’s Elementary Teacher of the Year,” says Gilmer ISD Superintendent Rick Albritton. “She knows how to build meaningful relationships, and we are so proud to have someone as good as her representing Gilmer ISD.”
Secondary Teacher of the Year, Chef Shyrah Jones, is the Culinary Arts Instructor at Troup High School in Troup, Texas. Chef Jones teaches Intro to Culinary Arts, Advanced Culinary, and an 18+ continuing education class that includes Life Skills students. Known for her passion for hands-on learning and student empowerment, she brings real-world culinary experience to the classroom each day. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics and New Media from Johnson & Wales University and an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts from Le Cordon Bleu. Her accomplishments include founding a student-run Bistro that operates three days a week, launching a competitive BBQ Team with qualifiers for the National High School BBQ Association’s Texas State Championship, and establishing a local SkillsUSA chapter. Chef Jones creates a classroom where students gain more than culinary skills; they gain confidence, creativity, and real-world readiness. Her leadership and innovation make her a true standout across our region.
“Actively connecting my culinary arts students with the community is a fundamental aspect of my teaching philosophy, transforming theoretical knowledge into real-world experience and creating lasting impacts on student learning and success,” says Jones. “My students learn that their culinary skills have the power to nourish, connect, and inspire, not just within the school, but throughout the entire community.”
“We are thrilled for Shyrah to be recognized for the outstanding work that she does every day,” says Troup ISD Superintendent Tammy Jones. “This recognition is so well deserved, and we are honored to have her as part of our district family in Troup ISD.”
At Region 7’s Teacher of the Year Luncheon on July 15, both winners were presented with grand prizes, courtesy of Orr Cadillac GMC. The dealership donated $2,500, which was split between the Elementary and Secondary winners.
In October, Terry and Jones will compete against the other thirty-eight Regional Teachers of the Year, which are reviewed by a panel of judges at TASA Headquarters in Austin. Six finalists will be chosen, and they will be invited to Austin for personal interviews. Winners will be chosen and announced at the Texas Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony at the Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. The Texas Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year will become spokespeople for all teachers in the state of Texas. They will also serve as traveling ambassadors for public education with a demanding schedule of speeches, workshops, and presentations while continuing to teach in the classroom.
TASA is the professional association for Texas school superintendents and other administrators. The mission of the organization, which focuses on professional learning, advocacy, and member engagement, is to promote, provide and develop leaders who create and sustain student-centered schools and develop future-ready students. For more information about the program, please visit tasanet.org/awards.
Region 7 ESC is committed to district, charter, and student success by providing quality programs and services that meet or exceed customer expectations. One of 20 regional education service centers statewide, Region 7 ESC participates in the planning, development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of innovative educational programs for 94 school districts and 7 charter schools in the counties of Anderson, Angelina, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Nacogdoches, Rains, Rusk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Smith, Panola, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood. For more information, visit www.esc7.net.
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