Taniece T. Smith, 2024 Texas Teacher of the Year

09/21/2026

Wow! Pinch me, I must be dreaming. It’s been a whirlwind 24 hrs in Dallas, but I left tonight on fire. If you could see my face right now, you would truly see how energized and happy I am to be a teacher. Teachers from all around the US gathered in our beautiful city of Dallas🤠, and I am now on cloud 9 with inspiration. I have 5 million things I can smile about and that will follow me to class tomorrow! I just might be singing through our experiments 😂!

As a teacher in 2026, I keep a smile on my face because I:

Choose opportunities that allow me to build capacity.
Choose opportunities that allow me to pour into others.
Choose opportunities that allow me to be authentically me.

The crazy thing is not much changed, just a realignment of my mindset after a beautiful workshop and heartfelt- this is the real me quality time together! That is joy! When you choose you, everything else follows in the best ways. Something magical happens when you say yes to opportunities that align with your own teaching philosophy and are intentional about the spaces you show up in.

Imagine not only teaching in the classroom, but giving back to the profession in the most beautiful, and personalized way. Excited for all that is ahead.

Grateful for this space and this circle. Thank you ♾️🍎. Let the Journey begin.

09/10/2026

I can’t imagine a world without literacy, and passionate educators who model excellence for our students. Congratulations everyone. Proud to work alongside Ms. Marquez❣️

09/01/2026

Congratulations 🎉🎉

TASA just formally announced the 6 finalists for 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year!

Congrats to Elementary Teacher of the Year finalists:

Denise Caldera, Corpus Christi Independent School District Education Service Center, Region 2

Mary Cluley, Burkburnett ISD, Region 9 Education Service Center

Emily Greer, Chapel Hill ISD, Region 7 ESC

https://tasanet.org/tasa-names-6-finalists-for-2027-texas-teacher-of-the-year/

09/01/2026

Congratulations finalists 🎉🎉

TASA just formally announced the 6 finalists for 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year!

Congrats to the Secondary Teacher of the Year finalists:

Caleb Gamblin, Bangs ISD, Region 15 ESC

Mary McMinimy, Lewisville ISD, ESC Region 11

Heather Ray, Terrell ISD, Region 10 Education Service Center

https://tasanet.org/tasa-names-6-finalists-for-2027-texas-teacher-of-the-year/

08/19/2026

🔥🔥🔥If you ask me about this team, make sure you have time to listen. New leadership and we didn’t miss a beat! The mission continues! Soo much good to share ❤️❤️. This is us!!!!!!👇🏽

08/18/2026

08/18/2026

I sometimes struggle with finding the equilibrium between my role as a mom to my 19 year old twin daughters and my role as a classroom teacher. I got home about midnight on Sunday after getting the first one settled in year 2 of college. I will repeat the process next weekend for the second daughter at a different school. Somewhere in between I have to be ready for my students who I have been entrusted with this academic year.

There is no perfect formula for being the best teacher and the best mom. We do the best we can in the spaces we’re in, because ultimately we are impacting lives. The question is, what kind of impact do we want to have? Let that guide the decisions that we make every day for those we are entrusted with. Every child deserves our very best.

Keep moving forward. I wouldn’t want it any other way. 🙏🏽🥰🚀