Midland Independent School District (MISD) students participated in the 2026 Texas Association of Future Educators (TAFE) Teach Tomorrow Summit, held from February 26 to 28. The event brought together more than 3,700 aspiring educators from across Texas for a three-day conference focused on teaching careers, leadership skills, and foundational abilities for future teachers.
A total of 44 MISD students attended the summit. Eleven of these students advanced and will compete at the National Educators Rising Conference this summer in Portland, Oregon. Legacy High School produced eight national qualifiers and earned three Judges’ Choice Awards with scholarships. The qualifiers from Legacy High School include Kaylee Gamez, Lauren Chandler, and Camille Costley for Varsity English – Ethical Dilemma and Judges’ Choice Award; Joseph Thawng and Van Hin for Varsity English – Children’s Literature Pre-K; Alyssa Shipman for Varsity English – Educators Rising Moment; and Leslie Ortiz Montoya and Melanie Rosas Mendoza for Varsity Spanish – Inside Our Schools.
Midland High School had two national qualifiers: Miraya Rodriguez and Daiyln Rodriguez in Teacher-Created Material. Legacy Freshman High School’s Maria Gonzalez Molero qualified in Children’s Literature K–3 – Spanish.
The Judges’ Choice Award is given to students who achieve the highest scores in their events at the state level.
Coleman High School student Janean Moya will serve as an Area 8 State Delegate at the National Conference.
“Opportunities like the Teach Tomorrow Summit allow our students to develop confidence, professionalism, and real-world skills while exploring one of the most important professions—teaching,” said Coleman High School Teacher and Public Services Coordinator, Lilia Romero. “We are incredibly proud of how our students represented Midland ISD on the state stage.”
MISD TAFE sponsors supporting the program include Lilia Romero (Coleman High School), Sue Silhanek (Legacy High School), Jeanette Lozano (Legacy Freshman High School), Traci Pequeno (Midland Freshman High School), and Sherri Barton (Midland High School).
All MISD students are expected to graduate college, career, or military ready.
