Amarillo ISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year, Emily Stowers, and Secondary Teacher of the Year, Deepa Sobha, were celebrated on Friday, May 1, at the annual Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year Breakfast.
The event is sponsored by the Education Credit Union.
With an impressive list of past campus teachers of the year who’ve gone on to earn state and national recognition, Amarillo ISD’s Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year Breakfast is always eagerly anticipated, the district said. District finalists are chosen from a pool of campus teachers of the year, representing each of AISD’s 52 schools and itinerant teaching staff.
Stowers teaches fifth-grade reading-language arts at Western Plateau Elementary, and Sobha teaches physics and UT OnRamps physics at Palo Duro High School.
Stowers and Sobha will both represent Amarillo ISD in the competition for the Region 16 Teacher of the Year, which will be announced later this summer.
Deepa Sobha opens up world of physics to build confidence, curiousity
Sobha opens up a classroom to where physics is more than formulas and motion. It becomes an opportunity for students to build confidence, curiosity, and the belief that they are capable of more than they imagined, according to information provided by the Amarillo school district.
The physics teacher brings seven years of experience, advanced degrees in science, and ongoing doctoral studies. Her strong academic background allows her to deliver complex content in a way that is both challenging and accessible.
Palo Duro High School Principal Brandy Self says Sobha “not only teaches a challenging subject, but she does it to a very diverse group of kids who learn to love physics.”
Emily Stowers invites students to step into new worlds, see inside themselves
In Stowers’ classroom, reading is not just a subject; it’s an experience that invites students to step into new worlds and see themselves within them. Stowers brings 15 years of education experience, along with a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Her background in both classroom teaching and instructional leadership allows her to design lessons that are both engaging and effective.
Principal Dusti Shipman highlighted Stowers’ commitment to addressing learning gaps while maintaining high expectations for every learner.
2026 District Teacher of the Year finalists
District finalists are chosen from a pool of campus teachers of the year, representing each of AISD’s 52 schools and itinerant teaching staff.
Secondary Finalists:
Elementary Finalists:
Amarillo ISD’s teachers of the year have a legacy of earning state and national recognition, including the following:
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo ISD names district’s 2026 Teachers of the Year
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
