When Vickie Wright was named Texas Teacher of the Year on October 17 at the Texas Association of School Administrators conference at the Kalahari Resort, the honor represented more than professional recognition. It affirmed a calling shaped by family, mentorship, and a deep belief in the power of public education.
Wright’s journey began with her great-grandmother, who raised her. Though her great-grandmother didn’t finish school herself, she firmly believed education could change a child’s future. She purchased a set of encyclopedias for her family.
“She believed if you pushed yourself in education, you could take over the world,” Wright says.
Wright was further inspired by her JROTC instructor, First Sergeant Harper. “He showed me how powerful it is when an educator truly sees you and believes in you,” she recalls. “That’s when it clicked. I wanted to give back.”
Now in her 14th year as an educator, Wright teaches fifth grade English at McWhirter Elementary in Webster, Texas. She appreciates the change and growth that she sees every year.
“No year is the same,” she says. “You never know what your students will need or what will inspire them. Watching them grow — academically and personally — is the greatest reward.”
Wright’s classroom might surprise older generations. Traditional rows of desks have largely disappeared. Flexible seating, including wobbly stools, alternative chairs, and resistance bands for movement, gives students the ability to stay active while learning. Wright revamped her classroom after asking her students how she could make the place feel more like home.
“When students help shape the environment, they take ownership of it,” she explains. “It changes everything.”
Another major shift Wright has embraced is technology. Rather than viewing it as a burden, she sees it as a learning curve. After speaking with middle and high school students, she realized many felt underprepared for the digital demands ahead.
“Technology isn’t going anywhere,” she says. “If the internet goes down, half our day is affected.”
Wright commits to staying current, so her students are prepared for what’s next. At the same time, she acknowledges the balancing act educators face.
“You have to find time to recharge,” she says. “The managerial tasks can be overwhelming, but the heart of the job, the kids, that’s what inspires me every day.”
As Texas Teacher of the Year, Wright now represents the state through the National State Teacher of the Year program, collaborating with educators across the country and advocating for students on a broader stage.
Still, her message to new teachers remains grounded and heartfelt: “Keep going. If you love kids and believe in the work, don’t let the tough days push you out. Our students need us more than ever.”
From a great-grandmother’s encyclopedias to a statewide platform, Vickie Wright’s story showcases the power of collaboration, inspiration, and dedication.
