May 1, 2026 – Amarillo ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year is Emily Stowers, and Secondary Teacher of the Year is Deepa Sobha. Both educators were celebrated on Friday, May 1, at the annual Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year Breakfast, sponsored by Education Credit Union.

Stowers teaches 5th-grade reading-language arts at Western Plateau Elementary, and Sobha teaches physics and UT OnRamps physics at Palo Duro High School. Stowers and Sobha will continue in the competition for Region 16 Teacher of the Year, announced later this summer.

Sobha creates a classroom where physics is more than formulas and motion. It becomes an opportunity for students to build confidence, curiosity, and the belief that they are capable of more than they imagined. Sobha brings seven years of experience, advanced degrees in science, and ongoing doctoral studies. Her strong academic background allows her to deliver complex content in a way that is both challenging and accessible. Principal Brandy Self says Sobha, “not only teaches a challenging subject, but she does it to a very diverse group of kids who learn to love physics.”

In Stowers’ classroom, reading is not just a subject; it’s an experience that invites students to step into new worlds and see themselves within them. Stowers brings 15 years of education experience along with a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Her background in both classroom teaching and instructional leadership allows her to design lessons that are both engaging and effective. Principal Dusti Shipman highlights Stowers commitment to addressing learning gaps while maintaining high expectations for every learner.

District finalists are chosen from a pool of campus teachers of the year, representing each of AISD’s 52 schools and itinerant teaching staff.

2026 District Teacher of the Year Finalists
Secondary Finalists:

• Bonnie Williams - Crockett Middle School
• Candice West-Mathewson - Houston Middle School
• Deepa Sobha - Palo Duro High School

Elementary Finalists:

• Robynn Britten - Puckett Elementary
• Emily Stowers - Western Plateau Elementary
• Melinda Flanagan - Wills Elementary

Amarillo ISD’s teachers of the year have a legacy of earning state and national recognition.

• 1992 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year – Mary McFarland of Amarillo High School
• 1993 State Finalist for Elementary Teacher of the Year – Donna Hill of Windsor Elementary School
• 1995 State Finalist for Secondary Teacher of the Year – Kim Beth Buchanan of Crockett Middle School
• 2006 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year – Cindy Lewis of Whittier Elementary School
• 2008 State Finalist for Secondary Teacher of the Year – Vicki Mueller of Austin Middle School
• 2015 Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year and National Teacher of the Year – Shanna Peeples of Palo Duro High School
• 2025 Texas Elementary Teacher of the Year – Kristi Leff of Humphrey’s Highland Elementary