2024 STAT Statewide Award Recipients

 Amy McElroy
Barbers Hill ISD

Amy McElroy is a sixth-grade science teacher in Barbers Hill ISD in Mont Belview, Texas. Among other endeavors during her more than 25 years of experience in education, she has taught fourth graders and fifth graders, created and presented professional development for K–12 educators, and led workshops on differentiating instruction. Prior to her teaching career, she worked for Avnet Inc., overseeing the company's Austin location, the fastest-growing branch in the U.S. However, she realized that her true passion lay in helping others grow, leading her to transition into teaching through the Region XIII alternative certification program. Her educational background includes graduating cum laude from Texas A&M University after exploring several fields of study, including pre-law and pre-med. Her approach to education is influenced by her business background, as she strives to instill habits of success in her students, preparing them for both academic and personal achievements. She believes in the transformative power of teaching, recognizing its role in changing the lives of students who will, in turn, shape the future.

Faryal Shaukat, Ed.D.
Pasadena ISD

Dr. Faryal Shaukat is a passionate science educator with more than a decade of experience in Texas public schools. Currently the science lead educator in Pasadena ISD, she has been instrumental in increasing AP Biology and Chemistry enrollment and achievement, leading her students to the highest AP Biology scores in the district. She is also a key figure in expanding advanced coursework opportunities, including the introduction of the AP Capstone program at her school. Dr. Shaukat holds a doctorate in STEM curriculum and instruction from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Her innovative teaching methods, which include the integration of AI and hands-on learning, have fostered a deep love of science in her students. Beyond the classroom, she mentors fellow educators and serves as an adjunct professor at San Jacinto Community College, further bridging the gap between secondary and higher education.

Rocco Williams
Fort Worth ISD

Rocco Williams is the K–12 Science Curriculum Coordinator for Fort Worth ISD. He began his career as a science teacher in Fort Worth after earning his B.S. in elementary education from Illinois State University. As a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher, Rocco's innovative, hands-on, and technology-driven teaching methods earned him the Lockheed Martin Teaching Chair of Excellence Award for Elementary Science in 2011 and garnered recognition from both his school and the broader education community. Later, in 2016, he furthered his expertise by obtaining an M.S. in instructional design and technology. Leveraging this knowledge, Rocco cofounded Accelerating Success, a resource company that provides teachers with strong, standards-aligned, engaging learning tools to utilize with their students in the classroom. Most recently, as a curriculum coordinator, Rocco spearheaded an effort in his local Fort Worth community to name an official bird of the city, resulting in the Fort Worth City Council proclaiming the Eastern Bluebird as the city's bird. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in science education at Texas Christian University, continuing his dedication to developing high-quality instructional practices.