2026 Teachers of the Year
Teachers of the Year bring lifetime commitments and passion for learning to their students and communities
Betta Festa, St. John Paul II Catholic School in Houston and Cecilia Cortez, Loretto Academy in El Paso, are the 2026 Texas Catholic Conference Bishops' Elementary Teacher of the Year and High School Teacher of the Year, respectively.
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Betty Festa
St. John Paul II Catholic School, Houston
Betta Festa
Betty Festa, a native of Vacherie, Louisiana, brings a strong foundation in elementary education from Nicholls State University and a lifelong commitment to learning into her classroom each day.
Through ongoing professional development in areas such as inquiry-based learning, technology integration, differentiation, and executive functioning, she continually refines her practice to meet the diverse needs of her students.
Mrs. Festa’s influence reaches far beyond academics, as she generously gives her time to support athletics, academic teams, student council, and countless school events. She embodies a joyful spirit of service, equipping students not only with knowledge but with essential life skills that prepare them for the future. Through her faith-filled leadership and dedication to the school’s mission, Betty Festa is a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 TCCB ED Elementary Teacher of the Year award.
High School Teacher of the Year
Cecilia Cortez
Loretto Academy, El Paso
Cecilia Cortez
Ceci Cortez, a lifelong El Pasoan and proud Loretto alumna, embodies the spirit and mission of the Sisters of Loretto through her extraordinary dedication to students, faith, and the arts.
From her early love of dance to earning her bachelor's degree of Fine Arts at UTEP while raising a family and serving the community, Ceci has modeled balance, perseverance, and joyful service.
Since returning to Loretto in 2004, she has profoundly shaped generations of Angels as a teacher, director, mentor, head sponsor, and leader of Orchesis and Angels in the Wings. Deeply rooted in Catholic values and a commitment to justice on the border, she tirelessly guides students to live out service, compassion, and Laudato Si’. Widely regarded as the heart of Loretto, Cecilia Cortez is a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 TCCB ED High School Teacher of the Year.