August 9 - Jill Stockton

Jill Stockton, a teacher at Brentwood Elementary, was the school’s 2023-2024 Campus Teacher of the Year and Austin I.S.D.'s 2023-2024 District Teacher of the Year Finalist. She is a leader, trainer, and mentor with 24-years of instructional experience, working with diverse populations and has an extensive knowledge in social emotional learning, cultural proficiency, and inclusivity.

During her time as an educator, she has been committed to instilling a passion for learning in every child by setting challenging expectations and bringing a positive attitude into the classroom every single day. Jill strives to create a classroom that feel welcoming and safe where every student was respected and valued. By intentionally incorporating broad teaching strategies and open-minded learning practices, every student feel a sense of belonging.

June 14 - Coleen Azeez

Coleen Azeez has taught social studies and history at Webb Middle School for the past eight years and is the Social Studies Department Chair, overseeing a mentorship program that helps at-risk students. She is currently pursuing her National Board Teacher Certification to better serve her students so that they can achieve their goals and aspirations.

She also works with the reading department to help students learn different processing skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. These strategies help students beyond the classroom, inspiring and encouraging students to strive for greatness, helping them realize their full potential and be the best they can be.

April 5 - Paola Arroyo-Forteza

Paola Arroyo-Forteza, a bilingual life skills teacher at Rosedale School, has a passion for helping others and a desire to positively impact the lives of children. She started her career at Jaime Pardon Elementary as an early childhood Special Education Teacher for students ages 3-6, with special needs.

After five years at Pardon, she completed her master’s degree in special education and continued her teaching career at Thomas G. Harris Elementary School as a Bilingual Life Skills Teacher. There she continued to grow as an educator working to ensure her students received everything they needed to develop their full potential.

In 2025, Paola secured her dream job as a Bilingual Life Skills Teacher at the Rosedale School, the only Austin I.S.D. school solely dedicated to serving students ages 3-22 with severe special needs. In the same year, she was also selected as Austin I.S.D.’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Paola looks forward to honoring Rosedale School’s mission to support the unique needs of its students and to provide a positive environment that prepares students to live, work and enjoy life in the community.