In this episode, we highlight the incredible achievements of our educators, a major milestone for one of our middle schools, and upcoming events for the Austin ISD community.

Episode Highlights

• Surprise Awards for Top Educators: We celebrate Alasin DeVeny (Joslin Elementary) and Megan Vasquez (Becker Elementary), who were surprised in their classrooms as finalists for the 2026 H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards. We discuss their categories and the well-deserved recognition they’ve received for their dedication to Austin students.

• The Return of Mendez Middle School: Following a remarkable academic turnaround and achieving a B rating, Mendez Middle School is transitioning back to direct district oversight for the 2026-27 school year. Learn about the next steps for community engagement and the future vision for the campus.

• Special Education Transition Workshop: Details on this Saturday’s (Jan. 17) info session at LBJ Early College High School, focusing on the Texas Transition and Employment Guide to help students prepare for life after graduation.

• Holiday Reminder: A quick look ahead to the upcoming MLK Jr. Day holiday on Monday, January 19th.

Find all this information and more updates on the Austin ISD website.