Employee of the Month

April 2026 Professional Employee of the Month
Teri Hurtuk, Instructional Coach, SHES

Teri is a true team player who consistently works to elevate the success of others. She partners with teachers across grade levels to plan instruction, analyze student data, and support effective classroom practices. She approaches every interaction with professionalism, respect, and a genuine commitment to helping others grow. Whether supporting new teachers, collaborating with the administrative team, or assisting colleagues during challenging moments, she contributes to a culture where staff feel supported and valued. Her collaborative approach strengthens both our instructional program and our campus community. 

Teri brings a consistently positive and encouraging presence to our campus. She approaches challenges with optimism and helps others maintain the same perspective. One of her guiding questions is, “What is the best thing that could happen?”—a mindset that helps teams shift their thinking from obstacles to possibilities. This outlook has a powerful influence on the adults around her, creating a culture where staff feel encouraged, supported, and motivated to keep improving. Her positivity not only lifts those around her but also strengthens our campus culture.    

The impact of her work extends far beyond individual classrooms. Teachers feel supported, instructional practices continue to improve, and students benefit from stronger, more intentional teaching across the campus."          

Teri has a unique ability to combine instructional knowledge with genuine care for the people she works alongside. Teachers trust her, seek her guidance, and feel supported by the way she approaches her work. She celebrates successes, helps teams navigate challenges, and continually encourages staff to believe in what is possible for their students.

Simply put, our campus is stronger because of her. She represents the very best of what it means to serve in public education, and I cannot think of a more deserving recipient of PfISD’s Employee of the Month recognition."

Pflugerville ISD is incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Hurtuk as part of its team. Overall, she is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the students, the staff, and this district.

April 2026 Support Employee of the Month
Mariah Herrera, Educational Associate, ROES

She is truly a team player with a heart for serving others. She consistently puts the needs of students and staff before her own and works hard to support her special education team each day. Beyond her assigned responsibilities, she is always willing to step in and help wherever she is needed across the campus. Whether supporting another classroom or assisting a different team, she does so with a positive attitude and a strong work ethic. Her willingness to collaborate and support others makes her an invaluable member of our school community.     

Her attitude is consistently positive, uplifting, and encouraging to everyone around her. She approaches each day with patience, kindness, and a willingness to help wherever she is needed. Even in challenging situations, she maintains a calm and supportive presence that benefits both students and staff. Her positive outlook creates a welcoming and encouraging environment, and her dedication to doing her best for students truly shines through in everything she does.

She consistently goes above and beyond her duties to create meaningful connections with students. Recently, she took the initiative to share her Asian culture with students by bringing real-life items and snacks to help them experience and learn about her traditions. She did this wholeheartedly and with great enthusiasm, even with students outside of her assigned classroom and grade level. Through this experience, she built strong and positive relationships with the students. In fact, students throughout ROES adore her and often seek her out just to say hello or give her a hug. Her kindness and willingness to create memorable learning experiences truly make a lasting impact on our school community."   
Ms. Herrera creates a safe and welcoming environment for students, and her caring nature helps them feel supported and confident in their learning. She is dependable and always willing to support staff across the campus, demonstrating a true team spirit and commitment to student success. She is deeply committed to helping students grow academically and socially, providing encouragement and support that helps them succeed. Her positive energy and genuine care for others make her a beloved member of our school community. We are so lucky to have her at ROES!

Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, our staff and this district. 
 

April 2026 Guest Educator of the Month
Anne Psencik, RLES

One of the things that makes Anne stand out is her flexibility. In a school setting, plans can change quickly, and we sometimes need to adjust assignments at the last minute. Anne always handles these changes with a positive attitude and a willingness to help wherever she is needed. She never complains and is always ready to step into a different classroom, help another teacher, or take on a new task. Her ability to adapt so easily is a true example of what it means to be a team player.     

In addition to her strong work ethic, Anne always maintains a wonderful attitude. She is positive, friendly, and professional with students, staff, and parents. She comes to campus ready to help with a smile on her face and brings a calm, supportive energy wherever she goes. Her flexibility and upbeat personality make her someone that everyone enjoys working with, and she handles every situation with patience and kindness. Anne consistently goes above and beyond without ever being asked. In addition to covering classrooms, she willingly helps with laminating, preparing materials, organizing supplies, and assisting teachers with classroom setup and cleanup. She often checks to see if the front office or grade level teams need extra support, and she is always ready to step in wherever she is needed.           

"I would like to nominate Anne Psencik for Guest Educator of the Month. Anne is such a team player and one of the most reliable substitutes we have. She is highly favored at Rowe because teachers know that when they are out, Ms. Psencik will lead the class with the same expectations, structure, and care as the regular classroom teacher.Her dedication as a guest educator is truly superb and hard to come by. She shows initiative, kindness, and professionalism in everything she does. We truly miss Ms. Psencik when she is not on our campus, and we are incredibly grateful for the positive impact she makes on our students and staff every time she is here.

"Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

 

March 2026 Professional Employee of the Month
Aya Badawy, SPED Communication Teacher, MES

Aya is a strong team player who values collaboration, open communication, and mutual respect. She is always open to new and different ideas, supports the team, and contribute her expertise and experience with everyone. Aya is strong on collaborating with the team and committed to the success of the whole team.

Aya has the MOST positive attitude about everything, even when facing challenges. She focuses on solutions, encourages and motivates all the staff members. She is optimistic and works hard create an environment where people feel supported and confident in working together and with the students. She demonstrates a caring and compassionate approach when working with the students, showing patience, kindness, and genuine concern for their well-being. She builds trust by listening, offering encouragement, and creating a safe, supportive environment where students feel valued and are able to learn and grow.

Aya is AMAZING!! She consistently goes above and beyond her job responsibilities, showing dedication and initiative in everything she does. Her strong work ethic, reliability and commitment make a meaningful difference to both the team and to her students. She has turned that classroom around in such a positive way in just a short period of time. Aya is new to PFISD and this position. She willingly puts in extra hours when needed to ensure tasks are completed to the highest standard. 

Aya puts students first and takes the time to truly know each one of them as individuals. By understanding their needs, personalities, and strengths, she builds meaningful connections and creates a supportive and safe environment. The students have shown clear growth and progress through her support, guidance, and consistent encouragement. The students have developed greater confidence, skills, and independence, reflecting the positive impact she has on their learning and development. Aya has been a huge asset to the Communications unit and our campus as a whole.

Pflugerville ISD is incredibly fortunate to have Aya as part of its team. Overall, she is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for her dedication to the families, the staff and this district. 

March 2026 Support Employee of the Month
Sharee Byrd, Executive Administrative Associate

Sharee consistently demonstrates a motivational and team-oriented approach in her role. Her effectiveness as a team player is evident in her collaborative efforts to manage complex financial tasks, such as handling unique purchase orders involving both budget allocations and donations. She maintains a positive and helpful attitude toward all her co-workers, as seen in her proactive coordination for weekly check-ins and safety meetings. Sharee’s commitment to the department’s success is further highlighted by her diligent participation in critical planning processes like the FY2026-27 budget development, where her collaboration helps ensure that both departments meet their strategic goals.

Sharee is a huge asset to the team because she’s always looking for ways to lift others up and keep things moving in the right direction. She’s a natural team player who works incredibly well with everyone—from nursing and security to police and campus staff—always bringing a positive, "can-do" energy to every interaction.  

Sharee truly goes above and beyond in her role, serving as the essential link that keeps both the nursing/safety and police departments running smoothly. Her exceptional coordination is evident in her ability to manage complex departmental budgets across multiple accounts while ensuring that administrative transitions, like the onboarding of new Chief of Police, are handled seamlessly to alleviate the workload for the entire team       

Sharee exemplifies the PfISD "Pfamily" commitment through her collaborative spirit and her dedication to supporting the entire district community. Her commitment is evident in her proactive approach to safety and security, where she works closely with nursing, security, and police staff to ensure a safe environment for all students. She consistently goes above and beyond to bridge the gap between departments, whether she is coordinating critical safety meetings or assisting with complex administrative transitions to alleviate the workload of her colleagues. By fostering a culture of professional respect and open communication, Sharee helps "raise the ceiling" for those around her, truly embodying the spirit of teamwork and collaboration that defines the PfISD Pfamily.

Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, our staff and this district. 

March 2026 Guest Educator of the Month
Heather Alaniz, MES

Heather stepped into a long-term sub position with a positive and open attitude. She worked collaboratively with the whole team as well as special education teachers to make sure each and every student had their needs met.       

Heather is never without a smile. She sees the best in each student and works hard to help them reach their potential. Heather brought such a positive energy to the school each day. Heather worked hard at meeting students' needs and ensuring that they understood what was being taught. All the students showed growth during her time in the classroom.          

Heather is not only an amazing and flexible sub but she also genuinely loves our school and our students. She also selflessly serves on our PTO board as VP of hospitality and does an incredible job of spoiling us teachers.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

 

 

February 2026 Professional Employee of the Month
CW04 Matthew Carter, Senior Marine Instructor/MCJROTC Hendrickson HS

Team work and consistency are hallmarks of CWO4 Matthew (Matt) Carter’s character. He leads with a servant leadership style that’s earned the respect and trust of his JROTC Instructor team. He's the first one at work starting at 6:00 am and the last one to leave at 8:00 pm. While at work, he embraces the responsibility of many roles while mentoring and guiding students providing leadership counsel as a teacher, Marine Instructor, father figure, counselor and occasional meal provider. His dedication to his team and students is inspirational. He reinforces a positive work culture while passionately serving the best interest of his students.

His contagious positive attitude makes all those around him want to be better. He exemplifies leadership through character, setting the example and professionalism. He truly enjoys teaching leadership and growing as an educator. He strives to ensure all students receive the guidance, discipline, and mentorship needed to be successful in JROTC and more importantly in life.

His performance far exceeds average in all areas. The extra time he invests in his students' successes and the events and efforts he initiates to create and maintain strong ties with families and the community are testaments to his professionalism. Since CWO4 Carter has been a Marine Instructor, the MCJROTC program has been recognized for being superior performers and awarded the prestigious title of Naval Honor School 9 times. Four out of the 9 times the MCJROTC program was under his leadership.

This month alone he has contributed over a combined 1360 hours to his students, MCJROTC program, Hendrickson High School and community. His supervision and instruction helped establish and maintain the most sought out JROTC Color Guard in Pflugerville. As of January, prepared, coordinated and supervised 19 Color Guard events in support of community events, numerous weekend Color Guard and Drill competitions and a community 5K run for Veterans.

Fist year Cadets are issued a polo shirt, military boots, socks and belt. This month, Matt noticed a new join student wear black sweats with the issued military boots and polo shirt. The sweats looked dingy and worn. After a brief discussion, the student revealed to Matt that he (student) did not own a pair of jeans. Without further question Matt drove to Walmart during his prep period and purchased the student 2 pair of jeans. Matt gave the new jeans to the student's primary instructor and asked the primary instructor to give the student the 2 new pair of jeans. Matt is a compassionate and selflessness leader that seeks no recognition, but recognition is well deserved. He is a true servant leader.

Pflugerville ISD is incredibly fortunate to have Mr. Carter as part of its team. Overall, he is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for his dedication to the students, the staff, and this district.

 

 February 2026 Support Employee of the Month
Lucinda Vasquez-Preciado, Registrar, Provan OC 

Mrs. Lucy exemplifies what it means to be a true team player at Provan OC. She consistently collaborates with administrators, teachers, support staff, and district departments to ensure smooth campus operations. Whether stepping in to help problem-solve enrollment challenges, support orientation needs, or assist colleagues with urgent requests, she does so with a willingness and professionalism that strengthens our entire team.      

Mrs. Lucy brings a calm, solution-oriented, and positive attitude to her work each day. Even during high-stress situations or tight deadlines, she remains approachable, patient, and focused on what is best for students and families. Her steady demeanor helps set the tone for a welcoming and supportive campus environment.

Mrs. Lucy routinely goes above and beyond the expectations of her role to support the needs of the campus. She proactively identifies issues before they become problems, ensures critical documentation is accurate and timely, and willingly takes on additional responsibilities to keep the campus running efficiently. Her attention to detail and follow-through is essential to the success of our daily operations.   

Mrs. Lucy plays a vital role in the overall success of Provan OC by ensuring systems, processes, and communication are aligned to support student success. She actively lives out our mission of Engaging academically, Inspiring socially, and growing emotionally by partnering closely with parents, ensuring they feel informed, supported, and valued throughout the enrollment and transition process. Her commitment to clear communication and relationship-building strengthens trust with families and reinforces our vision of serving every student and family with care, consistency, and respect.

Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, our staff and this district. 

 

February 2026 Guest Educator of the Month
Lisa Acedo, PHS

Mrs. Acedo has helped with the absence of two teachers. She goes above and beyond to help with grading for 300 plus students. The hours and work she gives is tremendous.  Not only assignments and grades, she HELPS ALL when needed.  Students feel comfortable with her and depend on her. 

She’s taken on so much extra work this year—I really wish there were a way for her to be recognized and compensated for it.  Without her our school would have struggled to find the right fit for those positions.  She gives her heart to all that need her.   

Mrs. Acedo has a great attitude at work.  Even when she feels overwhelmed, she simply smiles and continues to perform her best.            

We are truly grateful for Ms. Acedo's commitment to supporting students and staff. Her extra effort, positive attitude, and reliability set a high standard and make a lasting impact. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you, Ms. Acedo, for consistently going above and beyond for both students and staff. Your dedication, kindness, and willingness to step in wherever needed do not go unnoticed. You make a meaningful difference every day, and our community is better because of you.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have her in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, staff, and this district. 

 

January 2026 Professional Employee of the Month
Seth Cross, Assistant Coach & Social Studies Teacher HHS

Coach Cross is the definition of a team player. He helps his fellow coaches all the time doing odd jobs for them, brining sweet treats for everyone at lunch, and volunteered a huge chunk of his time helping run the Soaring Hawk Radio station working almost every home football game this year for no extra pay so that Hawk fans would get high quality commentating. He frequently helps teachers on campus with his expertise in teaching and has already been a teacher of the week at Hendrickson.

Coach Cross always maintains a positive attitude. He greets every student at the door with a smile and calls them out by name. Almost every student on campus knows him and he gets stopped by people in the halls more than anyone else on campus by students and staff who want to talk with him because of the great relationships he has built. He is an inspiration and always seems to be in a great mood because of his commitment to this school and these kids.                

Coach Cross operates at a higher level than any other teacher or coach I have ever worked with. He helps the PE coach by checking and monitoring the PE locker room for her, he opens the door and monitors the hallway for students walking near the gym, and helps run the sports radio show. None of these tasks are things he is paid to do and he volunteers to do all of them. He meets with his peers frequently to offer them advice and help them form their lessons and bounce ideas off each other to better learn how to teach.    

Coach Cross is more dedicated to PFISD than any other teacher/coach I know. He constantly is doing everything he can to help everyone around him, and PFISD at large. He participates in district activities and he even helps organize the PFISD basketball tournament that houses almost 30 schools each year. Coach Cross is a shining light on this campus that guides the way for others. He leads by example and always does more than his best to make sure his students, peers, and school district are taken care of.

Pflugerville ISD is incredibly fortunate to have Coach Cross as part of its team. Overall, he is amazing and Pflugerville ISD is very grateful for his dedication to the families, the staff and this district. 

 

January 2026 Support Employee of the Month
Terra Garner, CTE Accounting Specialist

Terra consistently demonstrates strong teamwork by collaborating with CCMR colleagues, offering guidance on new processes, and actively listening during discussions. She readily assists teammates who encounter challenges, ensuring tasks are completed accurately while fostering a supportive and cooperative environment.   

Terra approaches every responsibility with enthusiasm and optimism, even when navigating unfamiliar tasks. She maintains composure under pressure, celebrates team successes, and encourages colleagues, helping to create a positive and motivated work atmosphere.         

Terra goes beyond her assigned responsibilities by developing tools to streamline budget tracking, identifying discrepancies, and sharing best practices to improve team efficiency. Her proactive approach ensures high-quality results and enhances the overall performance of the CCMR team.              

Terra consistently demonstrates patience and professionalism while helping teammates understand new procedures. She offers guidance and reassurance, and provides support in a polite and constructive manner, ensuring a positive and confident team dynamic.

Overall, she is outstanding. She has built a great relationship with our staff and Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for her dedication to our students, our staff and this district. 

January 2026 Guest Educator of the Month
Disleyvis Baez GE, RES
 

Disleyvis builds positive relationships with teachers, staff, and students alike. She’s always willing to help, step in where needed, and collaborate with other teachers to maintain consistency for students. She respects classroom routines and communicates with teachers about how the day went, ensuring a smooth transition. She radiates positivity and calm, creating a welcoming environment for students. Even when faced with challenges, she remains patient, kind, and solutions-oriented.

Her cheerful attitude uplifts not only the students but also the staff around her. Students feel comfortable and cared for under her supervision because of her warm, encouraging demeanor. She goes far beyond simply supervising students; she actively engages them in meaningful learning activities. When lesson plans are not provided, she takes the initiative to use her own collection of educational materials to ensure students are learning, not just staying busy.

She adapts quickly to any grade level and maintains a productive learning environment wherever she goes. Her dedication shows in how she prepares engaging lessons, even on short notice. She is consistently reliable and always arrives early to ensure she’s prepared for the day. Staff and teachers know they can count on her to be on time and ready to support the classroom from the moment students arrive. Her dependability is what makes her one of the most trusted substitutes on the campus. She is amazing.

Overall, we are very fortunate to have him in our district and furthermore as part of our Guest Educator Team. Pflugerville ISD is very thankful for his dedication to our students, staff, and this district.