Northwest ISD honors 2026 Teachers of the Year: Teresa Ramirez and Jeffrey Neaves

Northwest ISD is proud to recognize Teresa Ramirez as Elementary Teacher of the Year and Jeffrey Neaves as Secondary Teacher of the Year. Both were celebrated at the district’s annual Inspire Excellence Celebration on April 9.

These exceptional teachers were selected from a pool of Exemplar Educator finalists — individuals recognized for cultivating student growth, fostering creativity, motivating learners and tailoring instruction to meet diverse needs. The rigorous selection process includes written essays, a personal video reflection on lifelong learning, interviews with a district panel and classroom visits to observe teaching in action.

Teresa Ramirez: Inspiring students through belief, leadership and a commitment to growth

Ms. Ramirez, a fourth-grade teacher at Prairie View Elementary, has taught for 17 years. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom; she actively contributes to the district’s science curriculum writing team and Emergent Tree Leadership Team. She also serves as a fourth-grade team leader and mentors college students who aspire to be educators. She previously served as a math curriculum writer and English Language Proficiency Standards facilitator.

“Teresa is the kind of educator who doesn’t just teach; she believes,” said Amanda Bomar, Prairie View Elementary principal. “She embodies that rare, ‘born-to-do-this’ magic that changes the energy of a room the moment she walks in. Whether she’s rallying the team with her infectious school spirit or offering a quiet word of meaningful encouragement, Teresa is always in our corner.”

Ms. Bomar said Ms. Ramirez is a true investor in people, helping students see a future they hadn’t yet imagined.

For Ms. Ramirez, teaching is more than academics. She said she became a teacher to be an advocate, a source of inspiration and a trusted partner with families — just like the most memorable teacher in her life, her mother.

“My educational journey began with my first teacher, my mother,” Ms. Ramirez said. “She consistently reminded my siblings and me in our native Spanish, ‘You are the creator of your future. To live in fear is to live a half-life. You can do it!’”

Ms. Ramirez said she strives to model the same brightness, care, understanding, passion and hard work her mother demonstrated.

And the students remember.

“One of my most meaningful accomplishments has been receiving high school and college graduation invitations from former students,” she said. “Often written alongside their names are the words I shared with them throughout the years: ‘You are the creator of your future. You can do it!’”

Jeffrey Neaves: Connecting real-world experience to the classroom
 

Described as “unique” by Eaton High School Principal Stacy Miles, Mr. Neaves stands out for using his experience as a member of the Texas Air National Guard to provide students with real-world connections in the aviation classroom. He also sets high expectations while encouraging students to think outside the box.

With 20 years of teaching experience, Mr. Neaves teaches aviation at Eaton High School. He developed an industry-aligned, innovative course submitted to the Texas Education Agency for adoption. He also serves as a reviewer for a drone textbook by G-W Publisher, a campus instructional liaison, Advanced Vertical Robotics sponsor and NISD EXPO sponsor. He previously served as an AHA Drone curriculum writer, Big Event Aviation Career Day sponsor and Aviation Academy interim facilitator.

Since joining Eaton High School, Mr. Neaves has earned FAA airframe and powerplant, remote pilot and advanced ground instructor certifications.

“His work for these certifications is not only about his own growth but also the growth of his students,” Ms. Miles said. “He can fly drones, he fixes airplanes, he teaches kids to think big, learn and apply their knowledge. But most importantly, he sees them as young adults trying to navigate this world of ours. Jeff Neaves is a model of Eaton’s vision, giving students opportunities to invest in themselves, our school and others.”

Mr. Neaves said the most rewarding part of teaching is watching students grow not only in technical ability but also in confidence and character. After a recent tragedy involving one of his students, he said the student’s mother shared how much the program and the bond he created with her son meant.

“It’s a sobering reminder that the support, encouragement and mentorship we provide can have an impact far beyond the classroom,” Mr. Neaves said.

When asked how he ensures success for all students, Neaves said he works to create an environment where students feel supported, nurtured and held to high standards.

“Student success is built through strong relationships, quality-focused instruction and opportunities that allow them to see their career goals as attainable,” he said. “By building confidence in my students through relationships and quality instruction, I ensure they are prepared for success both in and out of the classroom.”

Ramirez and Neaves will represent Northwest ISD in the Region XI Teacher of the Year competition.

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Photographs of the Inspire Excellence Celebration can be found on the district's Flickr page.