Take Care of Texas has announced the start of the second year of its Ambassador Program, selecting 22 educators to participate in the initiative for the 2025-2026 school year. The program aims to provide educators with knowledge and resources to promote awareness of Take Care of Texas among colleagues and administrators.
The selected ambassadors are K-12 science educators who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental protection in Texas. They will also give feedback on educational materials used by Take Care of Texas. Throughout the school year, ambassadors will use lesson plans provided by the program and share information about Take Care of Texas and its contests with students and staff across Texas.
The full list of 2025-2026 ambassadors includes: Abby Henderson (Canyon Middle School), Amanda Adair (All Saints Episcopal School Tyler), Amanda Spehr (Little Elm High School), Ashley Miller (Sparks Elementary School), Claudia Zimmer (Edward Roberson Middle School), Dustin Perez (Robert L. Crippen Elementary School), Gloria Okome (Meyerland Middle School), Jennifer Rottkamp (W.H. Adamson High School), Jessica Mayers (Central Heights Middle School), Karla Velarde (Francisco Farias Elementary School), Keira Quam (Texas Parks and Wildlife), Keke Powell (Sunfield Elementary School), Kelley Shand (Blanco River Academy), Kristian Torres (Vista del Sol Environmental Science Academy), Lisa Niemuth (Canyon Lake High School), Misty Kacal (Harmony School of Endeavor), Nina Corley (O’Connell College Preparatory School), Patty Boone (Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary), Sandra Metoyer (University of Houston-Clear Lake), Sarah Clark (Cleburne ISD), Tyler Baker (Samuel Clemens High School) and Vilma Orduna (Porter Early College High School).
Additional details about the program and its ambassadors can be found at www.takecareoftexas.org/ambassador-program. Lesson plans for those interested are available at www.takecareoftexas.org/education/lesson-plans-0.
