This spring, each campus selected one teacher and one support staff employee who has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in education. These teachers and support staff were surprised on their campuses by their leadership teams, school staff, and students.
Every Campus Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year was honored at the Monday, May 19, school board meeting. At the board meeting, MaBisha Stubblefield, Executive Director of Human Resources, named the 2025 District Teachers of the Year, who will represent Hempstead ISD in the Region 4 Teacher of the Year Contest.
Congratulations to the 2025 District Secondary Teacher of the Year, Christina Conklin, and the 2025 District Elementary Teacher of the Year, Rebecca Lopez.
2025 Teachers of the Year
Hempstead High School Teacher of the Year
Gabriel Arias, Theatre Teacher/ Director
Years in Education: 6
What do you love most about your job?:
My favorite part of teaching is inspiring my students to lead productive and meaningful lives. I love helping them discover their strengths and realize they are capable of more than they imagined. Watching them grow in confidence and take ownership of their goals is incredibly fulfilling. Every day, I get to be a small part of their journey toward becoming the best version of themselves.
District Secondary Teacher of the Year & Hempstead Middle School Teacher of the Year
Christina Conklin, 8th Grade U.S. History Teacher
Years in Education: 21
What do you love most about your job?:
What I love most about my job is the chance to be part of something that matters. Teaching in an area that has faced its share of challenges gives me a true sense of purpose. I see how my work directly impacts my students and the school community, and that makes the effort feel so meaningful. There’s something powerful about being part of a team that’s working to make things great! I love a good underdog story, and I’m proud to play a role in ours. At the heart of it all, though, it's the daily connection with kids and knowing I’m helping shape their future that I treasure the most.
Hempstead Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Valarie Minor, 3rd Grade Teacher
Years in Education: 18
What do you love most about your job?:
I love watching my students grow and learn both academically and socially.
District Elementary Teacher of the Year & Hempstead Early Childhood Center Teacher of the Year
Rebecca Lopez, Pre-K Bilingual Teacher
Years in Education: 20
What do you love most about your job?:
I love the relationships I’ve created with my students, their families, and our community.
2025 Campus Support Staff of the Year
Hempstead High School Support Staff of the Year
Diana Duncan, ESL Paraprofessional
Years in Education: 2.5 years
What do you love most about your job?:
As the daughter of an immigrant mother, I deeply relate to many of my students and understand their struggles and challenges. Watching them grow, learn, and gain confidence is the most rewarding part of my job, and what I love most about it.
Hempstead Middle School Support Staff of the Year
Gary Thompson, 6th Grade Science Paraprofessional
Years in Education: 1
What do you love most about your job?:
I love the opportunity to teach the kids not only science but also life and how to be better people.
Hempstead Elementary School Support Staff of the Year
Sandra Alvarez, ESL Paraprofessional
Years in Education: 23
What do you love most about your job?:
I love that I get to help students build confidence in their language skills, watch them grow academically and personally, and celebrate every milestone, big or small. It’s incredibly rewarding to be a part of their journey and to know I’m making a difference in their lives. I also love being a bridge between cultures and languages, making school feel like a welcoming place for all students. Working closely with dedicated teachers and contributing to a team effort that helps students succeed is something I’m truly proud of.
Hempstead Early Childhood Center Support Staff of the Year
Gloria Torres, Pre-K Paraprofessional
Years in Education: 28
What do you love most about your job?:
I love working with the kids. They make work exciting!
2025 Teacher_SupportStaffOTY5.21.25 by Valonia Walker