Rockwall ISD names 2026 district Teachers of the Year

Rockwall ISD named Jeanette Allison of Dorris A. Jones Elementary and Christopher Bell of Rockwall-Heath High School as its 2026 district Teachers of the Year, elevating two educators whose work shows up in student growth, campus culture and measurable success. Both were chosen from a nominee pool of 26 teachers, one from each campus, after a selection process that included district administrators, previous district Teachers of the Year and members of the Rockwall Breakfast Rotary.

Allison, a fifth-grade math teacher, has taught for 19 years, including eight in Rockwall ISD. At Dorris A. Jones Elementary, 2051 Trail Glen in Rockwall, the campus lists a Recognized rating and programs that range from Language Science and Speech to Gifted and Talented, Special Education, ESL, Bilingual and Reading Intervention. Principal Lori Bailey described Allison as a highly skilled educator whose instruction is purposeful and whose steady support helps both students and colleagues. The district also highlighted Allison’s focus on helping students grow into leaders and responsible citizens, a point that matters to families who want more than test scores from their schools.

Bell has spent all 15 years of his teaching career in Rockwall ISD as an orchestra teacher at Rockwall-Heath High School. His selection came as the school’s orchestra program continued to post strong results, including all four participating ensembles earning superior ratings from every judge at the UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contest and finishing Sweepstakes. Principal Todd Bradford said Bell’s leadership has helped drive that performance, while the district pointed to the orchestra room as a place where students who may not feel connected elsewhere can find belonging. That combination of achievement and inclusion gives Bell’s win significance beyond the fine arts wing.

The district said the 2026 winners were announced in May at the Rockwall ISD Teacher of the Year Banquet, and both will advance to Region 10 competition under the Texas Association of School Administrators Teacher of the Year program. Rockwall ISD’s 2025 district honorees were Noelle Cummings of Linda Lyon Elementary and Gennie Holcomb of Rockwall-Heath High School, with Holcomb later advancing through Region 10 and toward state recognition.

For Rockwall families, the recognition points to more than ceremony. It reflects a district where veteran teachers are staying, campuses are being asked to produce visible results, and quality is being measured in the places parents notice most: classroom performance, student engagement and the programs that shape daily school life.