Today@Sam Article

College of Education Announces Distinguished Educator of the Year Recipients

Feb. 21, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Lidia Brown

Great educators do more than teach—they spark change, inspire growth and leave a lasting impact on the world. This spring, the College of Education (COE) at Sam Houston State University will honor five exceptional alumni at the Distinguished Educator of the Year gala, celebrating their outstanding contributions to the field of education.

This prestigious award represents the highest honor the COE can bestow upon its former students. From counselors leading mental health initiatives to superintendents transforming entire school districts, these educators extend their influence far beyond the classroom, shaping the future of educational leadership for generations to come.

On March 29, the Distinguished Educator of the Year will begin with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center Orange Ballroom. The recipients consist of Ashley Wright, Carnelius Gilder, Cedric Stewart, Kristin Craft and Mandy Epley.

Formal dinner and drinks will be served, with tickets available for purchase. Tickets for the event may be purchased by contacting Nicole Boston at coe.events@shsu.edu or 936.294.1101.

2025 College of Education Distinguished Educator of the Year Recipients

Ashley Wright (‘08, ‘17)

Ashley Wright, M.Ed., CSC, LPC, NCC has dedicated 16 years of experience to the education and counseling sectors and has exemplified what it means to be a transformative educator. With a passion for empowering others, Ashley has become a recognized figure in the field, known for her innovative approach to counseling, dedication to student development and commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by educators and students alike. In addition, she also takes time to speak at national conferences to present about fostering a culture of belonging and promoting adaptability in addressing sensitive topics in education. Outside the classroom, she has become a successful published author with her debut book, “Passion, Purpose and Position: A Guide for Educators.” She was also named a finalist for the American School Counselor of the Year in 2022 and the Texas School Counselor of the Year in 2021. Additionally, she was honored as the Texas Elementary School Counselor of the Year in 2018.

Carnelius D. Gilder (‘06, ‘12, ‘21)

Carnelius Gilder has served as superintendent of West Sabine Independent School District (ISD) since December 2020, advocating for impartiality both within the district and statewide. This distinguished alumnus actively serves on multiple leadership boards, from local to state, all dedicated to helping others. Aside from being in many civic, advisory and nonprofit boards, he is also a member of reputable organizations like the Texas Alliance of Black Educators (TABSE), Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA)’s Future-Ready Superintendents Leadership Network (FRSLN). He serves as the Region 7 director for the Texas Association of Rural Schools (TARS), is a member of the Region 7 Education Service Center Executive Committee and was most recently named to the TASA Executive Committee. He also has a huge passion for the ecosystem in Pineland, where his efforts have been recognized on state and national levels. Their developing model has created the Revitalize Pineland Movement (RPM) which has helped create a new gymnastics center, a new county-wide, public-funded clinic and a bigger food pantry, among many other things.

Cedric B. Stewart (‘05, ‘08, ‘12)

Cedric Stewart is currently the principal of Victory Early College High School and has been an accomplished educator and leader for over three decades. Throughout his tenure, he has demonstrated expertise in teaching, curriculum design, supervision and program development, with a consistent focus on creating favorable learning environments for students and teachers alike. As a data assessment specialist at Reed Academy, he developed cross-curricular content, led assessments and used data-driven strategies to improve student outcomes. As assistant principal at Hoffman Middle School, he gained experience in budgeting, safety coordination and stakeholder engagement. Outside of his administrative roles, he has contributed to lecturing, publishing research and mentoring future educators as an adjunct professor at Sam Houston State University and the University of Houston. He has also authored and co-authored many studies, including The Journal of At-Risk Issues and The International Journal of Multiple Research Approaches. He has also established Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), which strive to enhance student achievement and operational efficiency. Due to his exceptional impact on education, Stewart has been individually recognized and awarded Secondary Principal of the Year for Aldine Independent School District and Regional Principal of the Year by the Houston Alliance of Black School Educators (HAABSE) in 2024. Additionally, he has earned school recognition as a National Demonstration School by the National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) in 2023 and Magnet School of Distinction Award from Magnet Schools of America in 2022.

Kristin Craft (‘03, ‘11)

After leaving Iowa and starting her teaching career in Texas, Kristin Craft has become the first female superintendent of Boerne ISD, leading with dedication to student success and educational excellence. Throughout her 28-year career, she has held roles as a teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and principal, spending 20 years in district leadership—12 of those as a principal. Before she started at Boerne ISD, she worked as associate superintendent of academics and chief academic officer in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), where she oversaw an array of student success and educational support services for the district’s 46 schools. She developed a district-wide instructional specialist model, deploying 45 specialists across all campuses. Her dedication and expertise in education are evident through her achievements, including the 2024 Center for Model Schools (formerly ICLE) Innovative District Award—an honor she has earned twice. She also ensured instructional continuity by shifting the entire school system to support both in-person and distance learning during the 2020-21 school year, leading SBISD to outperform expectations. In 2022, she was the finalist for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Large District Award.

Mandy D. Epley (‘97)

Driven by a love for the arts and a relentless pursuit of knowledge, Mandy Epley has spent 27 years in education, shaping minds and advocating for every student. Her passions encompass everything from practical skills and scientific principles to personal growth and staying informed about various industries, all to better support her students and the community around her. She is currently the superintendent at Navarro ISD, and already she created a collaborative vision committee consisting of students, teachers, staff and community members to develop a strategic plan, a 10-year master plan for facilities and has received a bond to support the goals of the plan that was developed by the committee. Aside from her current role, she is also enrolled at Texas State University in the dissertation phase to earn her doctorate degree in school improvement. She is a big advocate for students, which resulted in an initiative called Every Student Connected, that works with children from elementary through high school to get involved with different fields such as athletics, chess, fine arts, student leadership, e-sports and more on their campuses. Committed to keeping the public informed about education, she founded a student advisory group that provides recommendations to the school board and is involved in various committees and clubs. Her dedication has earned her numerous accolades, including being named the Texas Educational Theatre Association Educator of the Year in 2012. She has been a judge for Enhance the Arts and is one of four authors of a book that is currently the primary resource for high school theatre instruction. On top of all the groups and committees she’s a part of, she still likes to serve as a guest instructor for workshops and clinics across the state.

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