“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.”
- Will Durant
In Lockhart ISD, our shared vision to build a legacy of excellence guides what we do daily, whether it is in a classroom, office, cafeteria, or on a bus. Our #LISDChampions deserve the best.
The district knows, at the heart of it all, our employees are the most valuable resource we have in providing our students a high quality learning experience. For this reason, the district has been working to ensure we recognize those who demonstrate excellence.
Last school year, LISD launched its employee daily recognition program, the “Heart of Lockhart ISD,” which allows anyone to submit a comment card to express appreciation for an employee. Similar to the idea of, “I caught you doing something good,” it allows employees to know when they have made somebody’s day with great service, and they receive a special token and thank you card signed by the superintendent.
Annually, LISD hosts a district-level employee recognition dinner for “Teachers of the Year,” “Employee Services Milestones” for those with 20+ years, and employee retirements.
This year, we will now add a new awards series, the “Lion’s Heart Awards,” which seeks to recognize outstanding service in roles not recognized in previous awards ceremonies. The winners of eight of the categories were nominated by their peers and selected by district leadership. The district also selected a winner for a ninth category who had received the most daily recognition submissions for the “Heart of Lockhart ISD” program in the 2017-2018 school year. Additionally, the superintendent and cabinet have selected someone for a tenth category called “Lion’s Pride,” which honors someone who represents the true spirit of Lockhart ISD. The winner of that category will not be announced until that evening as a surprise.
Congratulations to the 2017-2018 Lion’s Heart Awards Winners!

Child Nutrition Employee of the Year
Dulce Bustos
Strawn Elementary School
Custodian of the Year
Jesse Baltierra
Carver Early Education Center
“Heart of Lockhart ISD” Employee of the Year
Connie Amaya
Pride High School
Instructional Paraprofessional of the Year
Kim Bagwell
Plum Creek Elementary School
Maintenance Employee of the Year
Willie Martinez
Maintenance
Office Paraprofessional of the Year
Melissa Patton
Plum Creek Elementary School
Professional of the Year
Annie Colvin
Lockhart Junior High School
Substitute of the Year
Mary Capello
Districtwide
Transportation Employee of the Year
Floyd Green
STS
Lion’s Pride Award
*To be announced at the ceremony in May