As a new school year gets underway, teachers across the nation are back in their classrooms, offering everything from lessons to hugs, from encouragement to discipline, and let鈥檚 face it: They don鈥檛 always get the credit they deserve. But 国产探花 alum Katie Gawlik had only been teaching for two years when her campus celebrated her outstanding work as an educator by naming her Rookie of the Year for 2026.

鈥淏eing named Rookie of the Year is significant to me because it recognized the hard work, growth, and dedication I put into my first years of teaching,鈥� said Gawlik. 鈥淚t was especially meaningful because Tradition Elementary is where I student taught and where I have grown so much as an educator.鈥�

After graduating from 国产探花 in 2024, Gawlik found an enduring home at Tradition鈥攐ne of East Central ISD鈥檚 elementary schools on the outskirts of San Antonio鈥攚here she鈥檚 now beginning her third year of teaching second grade.

She credits 国产探花 with giving her a sound footing on which to build her career. 鈥淚 think 国产探花鈥檚 education program stands out because the smaller setting allowed me to build deep connections with my professors and peers,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 felt comfortable asking questions, taking risks, and growing as both a student and future educator.鈥�

And she鈥檒l soon be back on campus at 国产探花 to take part in a one-day conference for future educators, in connection with this year鈥檚 Krost Symposium, which is centered around the science of learning. Gawlik will join fellow alumni working in the field of education to share some of what she鈥檚 learned since graduating, presenting her talk 鈥淚nspired to Teach: Driven to Grow.鈥�

鈥淢y biggest piece of advice for future educators is to never stop learning and growing. You don鈥檛 have to have everything figured out right away,鈥� she said. 鈥淒o not be afraid to ask questions, take risks, learn from your mistakes, and remember why you chose to teach in the first place. Teaching will not always be easy, but it is so rewarding.鈥�

Those rewards come in many forms for Gawlik鈥攆rom having a positive impact students, to being recognized for hard work, to forming relationships with the little ones who come into her classroom every day. 鈥淭he highlight of my day as an elementary school teacher is hugging my students when they walk in each morning,鈥� Gawlik says. 鈥淓very day is a fresh start and a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference in these kids鈥� lives.鈥�