A Bangs High School agricultural sciences teacher with a record of coaching championship student teams is among six finalists for the 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year award, the Texas Association of School Administrators announced Aug. 25.
Caleb Gamblin, who teaches in Bangs ISD near Brownwood, was selected as the Texas Secondary Teacher of the Year finalist from Region 15. He is now scheduled to compete with five other educators for the state’s elementary and secondary teacher of the year honors.
Gamblin’s work at Bangs High School
Gamblin emphasizes hands-on learning, critical thinking and opportunities for students to grow through both failure and success. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Tarleton State University.
During his career, Gamblin has coached numerous successful student teams. His teams include four state champion agricultural mechanics teams. One of those teams placed fourth nationally in 2019, while another placed sixth in the nation in 2021. He also coached Bangs’ 2023 state champion Tractor Technician team.
In both the classroom and shop, Gamblin challenges students to solve problems, learn through experience and build confidence through practical work. His teaching philosophy is based on persistence, growth and the belief that meaningful success develops through hands-on learning.
Six educators advance as state finalists
The six finalists were selected from 40 Texas Regional Teachers of the Year. Each of the state’s 20 Texas Education Service Center regions selected one elementary and one secondary teacher for regional recognition.
Alongside Gamblin, the secondary finalists are Mary McMinimy of Flower Mound High School in Lewisville ISD, Heather Ray of Herman Furlough Jr. Middle School in Terrell ISD and two other regional honorees. The elementary finalists are Denise Caldera of Rafael Galvan Elementary School in Corpus Christi ISD, Mary Cluley of John G. Tower Elementary School in Burkburnett ISD and Emily Greer of Jackson Elementary in Chapel Hill ISD.
The finalists represent a broad range of teaching specialties. McMinimy works in special education, Ray teaches eighth-grade science, Caldera is a kindergarten bilingual teacher, Cluley teaches physical education and Greer teaches fine arts to students from Head Start and prekindergarten through third grade.
A panel selected the finalists Aug. 18 from the 40 regional teachers. The panel included representatives of Texas teacher associations and last year’s Texas Teacher of the Year finalists.
Interviews and award decision coming in October
The finalists will be interviewed Oct. 15 by a panel that includes educational leadership and community representatives, business leaders, a member of the State Board for Educator Certification, a member of the State Board of Education and former Texas Teachers of the Year.
The judges will choose an Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Secondary Teacher of the Year. They will also designate one educator to represent Texas in the National Teacher of the Year program.
The winners will be announced Oct. 16 at an awards ceremony at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Round Rock. The event will also recognize all 40 Regional Teachers of the Year.
The Texas Teacher of the Year program has honored classroom excellence since 1969. TASA has facilitated the program since 2011. In 2015, Shanna Peeples of Amarillo ISD became the second Texas teacher to be named National Teacher of the Year.
Additional information about the program is available through TASA’s Texas Teacher of the Year program at Brownwood News’ report, which attributes the announcement to TASA.