Education Service Center Region 13 congratulates the Regional Teachers of the Year: Elementary Teacher of the Year, Pooja Mulgaonker, and Secondary Teacher of the Year, Victoria Sanders.
Educators selected as an official District Teacher of the Year who wish to advance in the regional/state awards program must submit a Texas Teacher of the Year application to the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA). These applications are first sent to the coordinator at the teacher’s respective Region Education Service Center (ESC) for further consideration.
Each June and July, the 20 Texas ESCs select 40 Regional Teachers of the Year–20 elementary and 20 secondary educators. From that group, the state then chooses one Elementary Teacher of the Year and one Secondary Teacher of the Year.
The Texas Teacher of the Year is a selection process facilitated by TASA. The Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor the State of Texas can bestow upon a teacher. Since 2011, TASA annually recognizes and rewards teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in teaching. Judges meet in August to narrow the list of 40 Regional Teachers of the Year. They select six finalists–three elementary, and three secondary–and a panel of judges interviews each finalist before announcing the winners in October 2025.
Region 13 Regional Teachers of the Year
Pooja Mulgaonker, Elementary Teacher of the Year
Pooja Mulgaonker, a Special Education teacher at Kiker Elementary School, is the 2026 Region 13 Elementary Teacher of the Year. Kiker Elementary is part of Austin Independent School District. Mulgaonker has been at Kiker Elementary for the last 19 years and spent teaching many years in the Early Childhood Special Education Program. Presently, she serves as a SCORES, inclusion, and resource teacher, supporting students in kindergarten through fourth grade.
Mulgaonker specializes in developing students’ social communication skills and academic abilities, focusing on math and writing in a resource setting. The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas honored Mulgaonker as the Lori Tullos Barta Educator of the Year Award in 2017.
For the past 15 years, Mulgaonker has developed and managed a summer camp program designed to support and engage students with varying learning needs. She holds a master’s degree in special education from Boston College. She earned a postgraduate degree from Mumbai, India, with a specialization in teaching children with physical disabilities.
Mulgaonker is one of the six TASA 2026 Texas Teacher of the Year finalists.
Victoria Sanders, Secondary Teacher of the Year
The 2026 Region 13 Secondary Teacher of the Year is Victoria Sanders, 9th Grade English Teacher, Round Rock High School (RRHS), in Round Rock Independent School District.
According to Round Rock High School Principal Matt Groff, Victoria is an exceptional teacher and a true asset to RRHS. She goes above and beyond for her students, colleagues, and the entire community, always bringing her best to the classroom.
Victoria excels at engaging even the most reluctant learners and is always ready to support those in need. Beyond teaching, she plays a vital role in Student Council, maintaining a positive attitude while juggling responsibilities as a teacher, a devoted mom, and an active community member.
Her enthusiasm and passion for education shine through in everything she does. Her dedication to building relationships and contributing to the school community through recognition programs and holiday drives makes a lasting impact. Tori’s knowledge, leadership, and commitment to her students and community make her an invaluable part of our team.
Congratulations to the 2026 Regional Teachers of the Year. See more about the program on the ESC Region 13 website or the TASA website.
Holly Zeiner is the Content Marketing Specialist at ESC Region 13.
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