The Aransas Pass ISD Board of Trustees recognized the Panthers and Employees of the Month at their October 12th Regular Board Meeting.
October 2026 Panthers of the Month
Jose Deras is a 1st grade student at Faulk Elementary. shows other students what it means to be a Panther. Jose is quiet most of the day but he works hard in everything he does. Jose is respectful, kind, and a hard worker. We are proud of how Jose shows other students what it means to be a leader. Thank you Jose for being a remarkable student.
Lincoln Guerrero is a 4th grade student at Charlie Marshall. Lincoln shines each day by showing respect, excellence, patience, and integrity in everything he does! Lincoln comes to school ready to learn, stays engaged, participates in class, and always looks for opportunities to help others. Whether he is encouraging a classmate, making good choices, or giving his best effort, he leads by example and shows what it truly means to have Panther Pride. We are so proud to celebrate this amazing student and the positive difference he makes on our campus every day!
Kylee Garcilazo is an 8th grader at A.C. Blunt. Kylee a shining example of how a positive attitude and a kind heart can make a difference! With a contagious smile and an uplifting Kylee brings joy and encouragement to those around them. Kylee is always willing to lend a helping hand and consistently demonstrates kindness to anyone around her. We are proud to recognize Kylee for reminding us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a lasting impact. Congratulations on being our Panther of the Month!
Genesis Martinez is a junior at Aransas Pass High School. She is an outstanding example of the character, leadership, and positive spirit we want to see in our Panther family. As the Percussion Section Leader in the Panther Band, she demonstrates strong leadership and a commitment to supporting those around her. She is also an active member of Panthers for Christ, where she continues to demonstrate her character and dedication to her school Community. In addition, Genesis is an exceptional office aide who is dependable, helpful, and always willing to step in wherever she is needed. What truly sets her apart, though, is her attitude. She consistently approaches each day with a positive spirit and a smile on her face, making those around her feel welcomed and appreciated. A leader, a servant, a positive influence, and someone who makes our school a better place simply by being part of it are the reason why Genesis Martinez is Aransas Pass High School’s October Panther of the Month.
October 2026 Employees of the Month
Sarah Barron is a paraprofessional at Faulk Elementary. Mrs. Barron is new to our campus at Faulk this year, but what an impact she has made! Mrs. Barron comes to school everyday with a smile on her face and always ready to give back to her students. Mrs. Barron leads with a kind heart and shows how hard work, dedication, and compassion can make a difference in our students' lives. Thank you Mrs. Barron for what you do every day. Faulk is proud and privileged to have you as a Panther in APISD!
Sydney Decker is a 3rd grade teacher at Charlie Marshall Elementary. Sydney brings positivity, patience, and joy to our campus each and every day! She is incredibly patient with our students and always finds fun ways to encourage them, make them smile, and help them feel special. She is also an amazing teammate who is always upbeat, supportive, and ready to keep everyone going—even on the busiest days! Her positive attitude and caring heart make a difference for both our students and staff. We are so lucky to have her on our team and excited to celebrate her as our Employee of the Month!
Penny Davila is a paraprofessional at A.C. Blunt Middle School. Mrs. Davila’s love for our A.C. Blunt Panthers shines through in everything she does! From making birthdays special with Takis for every student to hosting after-school mum-making workshops so our perfect attendance Panthers can celebrate Homecoming in style, she goes above and beyond to make our students feel loved, valued, and celebrated. Her generosity, selflessness, and servant’s heart are truly inspiring! We are incredibly blessed to have someone who loves our Panthers so BIG! Congratulations Mrs. Davila!
Kerri Mitchell is a science teacher Aransas Pass High School. For several years, she has consistently demonstrated excellence as a science educator and an unwavering commitment to student success. Her students consistently achieve outstanding STAAR results, reflecting her high expectations, strong instruction, and dedication to ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. What makes Mrs. Mitchell especially deserving of this recognition is her commitment to APHS. She is an exceptional educator who could be successful at any high school, yet she chooses to remain here. She chooses our students, our staff, and our Panther family. Mrs. Mitchell’s dedication, consistency, and impact on student achievement make her an invaluable member of our campus and that is why Kerri Mitchell is Aransas Pass High School’s October, Employee of the month.
Heather Waugh is the APISD Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Ms Waugh’s work ethic, organization, and attention to detail are evident in everything she does. She works tirelessly on behalf of our students, teachers, and campuses and brings a true passion for education to her role each and every day. A very successful school administrator throughout her career, she knows her business, understands instruction, and is always looking for ways to make our district better. When she takes on a task, she leaves no stone unturned. Her commitment to doing things the right way, staying organized, and making sure the details are taken care of has made her an extremely important part of the work we are doing across Aransas Pass ISD. And while she takes her work very seriously, she is also always ready to have a little fun, especially when there is a dress-up day involved! You can count on her to participate, usually at a level that makes the rest of us realize we probably should have tried a little harder. We appreciate her tireless work ethic, her knowledge, her passion for education, and her commitment to helping us continue to Grow Greatness throughout Aransas Pass ISD. Congratulations to our Employee of the Month APISD Curriculum Director, Heather Waugh!
Llisha Sigman is an important member of our Tranportation Department. Llisha is being recognized for her dedication, professionalism, dependability, and commitment to providing excellent service. Her positive attitude and willingness to go above and beyond make her a valuable member of the Transportation team. Llisha consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and takes pride in ensuring that transportation operations are handled safely, efficiently, and with care. Her commitment to supporting students, staff, and fellow team members reflects the high standards we strive for every day. Congratulations, Llisha! We appreciate all that you do!