Nominate Your Favorite Teacher to Win $1,000 from KICKS 105 and Whataburger

The end of the 2025 Spring semester is near. That means we are getting closer to announcing our winner of the 'Teacher of the Day' promotion.

Every semester, KICKS 105 teams up with Whataburger to award an area teacher with a $1,000 classroom grant. Over the past several years, 16 deserving educators have been surprised in their classrooms (or wherever) with a visit from What-A-Guy and other promotion representatives.

Previous $1,000 Winners

• Brandy Hughes - Huntington ISD
• Felicia Arnold - Dunbar Primary (Lufkin)
• Amanda Venegas - Brookhollow Elementary (Lufkin)
• Heather Jacks - Thomas J Rusk (Nacogdoches ISD)
• Cessali Williams - Lufkin High School
• Mandy Cordova - Central ISD
• Rebecca LeBoulanger - Pineywoods Community Academy
• Gina Hodges - Temple Elementary (Diboll ISD)
• Bobbie Morgan - Hudson Middle School
• Kim Flores - St. Cyprian's
• William Weeks - Peavy Primary (Hudson ISD)
• Marissa Martin - Central Heights Elementary
• KK Brown - Central Elementary
• Dawn Ryan - Martinsville ISD
• Cali Hollers - Sarah Strinden Elementary (Pineywoods Community Academy)
• Dena Powers - Centerville Elementary (Trinity County)

READ MORE: Central Heights Teacher Surprised With $1,000 Classroom Grant

How To Nominate A Teacher

Use this form to nominate a teacher. Be sure to send it in quickly, since we are already approaching the end of this semester.

When you nominate a teacher, you'll be asked to write a few lines about him or her. You don't have to go into a deep essay as to why the teacher is deserving, but please say a few more words than "She is nice and sweet" or "He is entertaining".

A winning teacher will be randomly drawn from all qualifying nominations.

We have received quite a few nominations over the past school year. Here are some of them (some of the responses have been shortened or paraphrased).

Lacy Hay - Central Heights

She reaches out to let you know that your child is doing well in her class, not just because there are problems. Also, she sees the student's performance as a team effort between the student, parent, and herself. My son was struggling with an assignment, and she said, "Don't worry. We will get this fixed and get him back on track." She didn't just blame him for the poor performance, she made an effort to help him get to where he needed to be academically.

Shelby Glover - Peavy Primary (Hudson)

She has gone above and beyond for all of her students! She is truly an amazing teacher who cares that each student gets the education they deserve!

Heather Hill - Central High School

She is our welding teacher, and over the last semester, she has taken us to countless contests, trying to get us to state as well as many scholarships. Our welding team has grown a great appreciation for her and would love to see her recognized by others for her hard work and dedication to our program.

Eva Cooper Cotton - Crockett Jr High

She has been teaching for 44 years and may have missed only a week out of those 44 years. She is a special ed teacher who loves teaching her kids.

Catherine Hanks - Central High School

Catherine can’t pass up a challenge. She taught special education for years before moving back to Lufkin. As an elementary special education teacher, she took on the challenge of a high school position teaching physics, and then was offered the vocational robotics program and took it, and has enjoyed this with her high school students.

Catherine’s excitement shows when she talks about her students' achievements in robotics and how they have overcome not having space and tools to always do their robotics projects. She laughs about their mishaps and enjoys their events so much. She’s always planning a new project. She also loves these high school students and often buys snacks out of her own money to provide snacks because she knows these teenagers are always hungry. She’s definitely a teacher you want your child to have.

Bobbie Fonzie - Emeline Carpenter Elementary School (Nac ISD)

She is doing what she loves and makes such a difference in her students' lives, she goes above and beyond for her students and every kid in her life. She has worked hard to get to her career path and is finally doing what she is truly called to do.

Diana Cruz - Slack Elementary (Lufkin ISD)

As a parent whose child had the privilege of being in Mrs. Diana Cruz's math class at Slack Elementary, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for her remarkable dedication to teaching. She embodies high expectations, professionalism, and deep knowledge, and she helps all her students, whom she considers part of her family, never forgetting their names, even after they leave her classroom.

Autumn Handley - Chester ISD

She pours her heart and soul into her kids. Even though she is an elementary teacher, she has stepped up and been the sponsor for the high school National Honor Society. She is my wife and my hero.

Lucy Lopez - H.G. Temple Elementary (Diboll ISD)

Mrs. Lopez is an exceptional teacher, known for her unwavering dedication to her students. She always goes above and beyond to ensure each student feels supported and valued. Whether it's her offering words of encouragement, Mrs. Lopez is always there, making learning a positive and enriching experience for everyone. Her kindness, patience, and commitment make her the best teacher ever, and her impact on her students' lives is truly lasting.

Jolynn Easton - Lovelady Elementary

Mrs. Easton is a kind, supportive, and positive role model for all of her students. She encourages each of them to grow and become the best version of themselves.
She deserves all the credit and then some!

Jennifer Coogler - Terry Robbins Middle School (PCA)

I love Mrs. Coogler because she has always supported me in my dreams and has helped keep me out of trouble.

Kristel Hise - Douglass High School

Mrs. Hise has taught high school students for over 20 years. She loves taking novels and making them relevant to high school juniors and seniors. Her love for her students is evident when you talk with her. She always works to find the best approach for any student she teaches.

Leslie Luman - Central Elementary

My daughter has a developmental delay. She also has chronic lung disease and some other health conditions. Mrs Luman goes above and beyond to make sure my daughter has the best education and is safe from sickness. If Mrs Luman sees any signs of my daughter being sick, she immediately takes action. She really takes such a big responsibility with teaching 18+ 4-year-olds. This amazing woman was a special education teacher for over 10 years, so she really buckles down on how to help children in her class and surroundings, like my daughter. She deserves this so much. She truly goes above and beyond for her classroom children and her community.

Joannie Smith - Dr. Terry Robbins Middle School (PCA)

I salute Mrs Smith because she is one of those teachers who not only cares for your education but also your mental being. I love her so much because she was always there for me when I needed to talk to her. She wasn't just my teacher, she was my person I could always go to when I needed help or advice.

Marty Scarborough - Corrigan Corrigan Elementary

Marty is dedicated to the profession and strives to ensure each child succeeds. She treats each child with respect and accommodates a variety of learning styles. She has an empathetic personality, yet can be stern if necessary.

Heather Fuller Jacks - TJR (Nac ISD)

In her eleven years of dedicated service, she has taught second and fourth grade with love, passion, and unwavering commitment, beyond academics. Heather ensures her students feel cared for, confident, and ready to learn each day, always greeting them with a happy smile and making sure they have a smile.

Jana Sicola - Livingston Jr. High

Jana works collaboratively with staff and shares resources and tips on how to build positive relationships with students and how to support special needs students in their general education classes. She instills confidence in her students and finds ways to make them laugh, but at the same time, holds the bar high for her students.

Lauren Leon - Anderson Elementary (Lufkin ISD)

She is extremely dedicated to the campus and students. She makes learning fun and exciting by creating games and stations that engage the students and make them want to learn!

Barbara Holden - Garrett Primary (Lufkin ISD)

Mrs. Holden is an awesome teacher. She makes sure that her students learn and will challenge them to reach their fullest potential. She is very caring, patient, and nurturing, but also believes in good behavior. She is a woman of integrity, a Christian, a great mom, and a wonderful person. Mrs. Holden rocks.

Lara Sowell - Regents Academy

Lara is a legally blind Instructor who, 25 years ago, taught herself Latin so she could teach the subject at Regents Academy. This is Lara's 25th year of teaching, and despite her vision limitations, she has excelled as an instructor in the classroom, bringing the love of language to thousands of Regents Academy students.

Cortney Turrubiartes - Latexo Elementary

She makes learning fun! She was my daughter’s favorite teacher. Mrs. Turrubiartes teaches 5th-grade Math and Science at Latexo Elementary, all while going to school to get her master's. She’s always looking for fun ways to motivate her students. She’s the best!

Jamie Minter (Dowell) - Crockett Elementary

Mrs. Dowell is a new teacher, but it didn’t take me long as a parent to realize that she goes above and beyond for her students. She lets parents know everything in a timely manner, and is very sweet and outgoing. I’m very glad she is teaching my daughter this year!

Jennifer Ives - Slocum 1st Grade

Jennifer is extremely caring, compassionate, and loves each of her students as if they were her own. She goes above and beyond to make certain that each child receives top-notch education, and that all have the same opportunities to excel and succeed in academics. When she is not working on her school work at home, she enjoys spreading the love of Christ with others, and works tirelessly to come up with ideas to better engage her students in a world of learning.

Mikey Farr - McMichael Middle School (Nac ISD)

She has always been there, and continues to be there, for my son and me. I can really tell she loves him and wants to do whatever she can to help him be safe, happy, and successful. I will really miss her when he goes to high school next school year.

Alana Meshell - Timber Creek Elementary (Livingston ISD)

Alana Meshell is a great and understanding teacher. She goes above and beyond to teach her students and help them learn. She is loved and respected by her fellow coworkers.

Brandon Beavers - Garrison ISD

He is one of the most caring teachers in the district in and out of school hours. He saw three of his students off school grounds, and he went out of his way to speak to them, asking them genuinely how they are.
If ever there was an educator who makes a difference, he would be the one!

Karley McHenry - Central Elementary

Her dedication, patience, and unwavering commitment to meeting every student’s unique needs truly set her apart. She works tirelessly to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where all students can grow and thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

Whether she’s collaborating with teachers, supporting families, or going the extra mile for a student in need, she does it all with heart, professionalism, and a deep sense of purpose. Her work may often happen behind the scenes, but the difference she makes is undeniable.

One of the teachers above, or another one nominated, could soon be getting a wonderful surprise of a $1,000 classroom grant.