2021 MARTEL AWARD HONOREES
Children’s Museum Houston spotlights Houston-area educators virtually
HOUSTON (March 31) - For the past 22-years,Children’s Museum Houston has been recognizing early childhood educators with the Martel Award. The Martel Award is given to a Houston area teacher who possesses “exemplary commitment” to educating young children. This year due to the pandemic, 27 educators from different grade levels have been selected to receive the award and will be recognized on the Museum’s social media channels every weekday from March 31 to May 7,2021. This year’s Martel Award winners are:
HISD
- Sarah Delperdang – Rucker Elementary School; teaches third grade.
- Ronith Epelbon – Briarmeadow Charter School; teaches pre-K to eighth grade.
- Amber Franco – Jefferson Elementary School; teaches pre-K.
- Mary Faith Johnson-Davis – Garden Oaks Elementary School; teachers first to third grade.
- Shenita Long – Betsy Ross Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Diana Lopez – Raul Martinez Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Briana McCorkle – Hobby Elementary School; teaches third grade.
- Penelope Raggette – Shadydale Elementary School; teaches kindergarten.
- Elizabeth Rodgers – Cunningham Elementary School; teaches second grade.
- Jennifer Silva – Robinson Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Evelyn Terry – Halpin Early Childhood Center; teaches pre-K.
- Leonore Verdecia – Ed White Elementary School; teaches pre-K.
FBISD
- Sonza Bonner – Edgar Glover Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Jennifer Hill – Jan Schiff Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Alisa Gans – Edgar Glover Elementary School; teaches second grade.
- Reina Saunders – Edgar Glover Elementary School; teaches first grade.
- Desa Weathers – Edgar Glover Elementary School; teaches kindergarten.
Alvin ISD
- Mark Spilman – Pomona Elementary School; teaches kindergarten.
Angleton ISD
- Juli Salzman – Northside Elementary School; teaches kindergarten to fifth grade music.
Deer Park ISD
- Elizabeth Harlan – Deer Park Elementary School; teaches third grade.
Katy ISD
- Christin Fancher – Cimarron Elementary School; teaches kindergarten.
Lamar Consolidated ISD
- Danette Lenderman – Cora Thomas Elementary School; teaches ECSE.
The Bertha Alyce School – Monica Medrano; teaches pre-K.
The Kinkaid School – Jennifer Lewis; teaches first grade.
Poe Cooperative Nursery School – Peggy Sweeney; teaches pre-K 3 and pre-K 4.
Small Steps Nurturing Center
- Nadia Ellis; teaches kindergarten.
- Masami Mizukami; teaches 2 to 3-year-olds.
Teachers have been the superheroes of education during a time of uncertainty and confusion by delivering virtual and in-person instruction simultaneously. Our spotlights show appreciation to a broad range of teachers from school districts throughout the greater Houston area. To see the winners, check out the Museum’s social media pages every weekday from March 31 to May 7, 2021:
