The Godley ISD Transportation Department received the 2026 Big Kahuna Award during the district’s End-of-Year Celebration held May 22, 2026, in the GHS Arena.

The award recognizes a department or team that demonstrates exceptional dedication, service and impact throughout the school year. District leaders praised the Transportation Department for its strong year under the leadership of transportation director Jimmy Palcic.

Bus drivers and monitors were recognized for safely transporting students to and from school each day while also supporting countless extracurricular trips, athletic events and academic activities across Texas throughout the year.

“This celebration is one of our favorite traditions because it gives us the opportunity to recognize the incredible people who serve our students every day,” Superintendent Dr. Rich Dear said. “Our Transportation Department represents exactly what this award is about — teamwork, dedication and a commitment to students. They are often the first and last Godley ISD employees our students see each day, and they do an outstanding job caring for our kids.”

Dear also praised employees across the district for their commitment throughout the school year.

“From classrooms to cafeterias, buses to offices, every employee plays a vital role in making Godley ISD special,” Dear said. “We are grateful for the heart, professionalism and care our staff brings to our students and families every day.”

In addition to the Big Kahuna Award, the district honored employees for years of service, recognized retiring staff members and celebrated campus and district teachers and paraprofessionals of the year.

Teachers and Paraprofessionals of the Year

District Teachers of the Year

• Elementary Teacher of the Year: Erica Massey — R.B. Godley Elementary School
• Secondary Teacher of the Year: Ember Courtroul — Godley Middle School

Campus Teachers of the Year

• Carli Crawford — Pleasant View Elementary School
• Kimberly Pannell — Godley 6th Grade Campus
• Amy Quinn — Legacy Elementary School
• James Jeanes — Godley High School

Campus Paraprofessionals of the Year

• Robert Arredondo — Godley High School
• Laura Dolan — Godley 6th Grade Campus
• Josh Maes — Pleasant View Elementary School
• Jessica Majano — Legacy Elementary School
• Jennifer Miller — Godley Middle School
• Natalie Steward — R.B. Godley Elementary School

Retirees

Godley ISD recognized 15 retirees representing a combined 223 years of service in Godley ISD and 320 total years in education.

• Arthur Bone — 24 years in Godley, 42 years total in education
• Alice Brooks — 20 years in Godley, 29 years total in education
• Denise Casey — 4 years in Godley, 24 years total in education
• Mark Chauveaux — 27 years in Godley, 29 years total in education
• Cindy Driscoll — 22 years in Godley, 22 years total in education
• Jason Hill — 6 years in Godley, 31 years total in education
• Roxanna Kinder — 13 years in Godley, 13 years total in education
• Enedina Robles — 4 years in Godley, 21 years total in education
• Michelle Sveum — 10 years in Godley, 22 years total in education
• Kelly Taylor — 39 years in Godley, 39 years total in education
• Linda Terry — 13 years in Godley, 33 years total in education
• Kelly Yarbrough — 15 years in Godley, 15 years total in education

Three retirees from the Johnson County Shared Services Arrangement also were recognized:

• Angela Calahan — 11 years with JCSSA, 24 years total in education
• Cindy Matthews — 4 years with JCSSA, 26 years total in education
• Virginia Reeves — 11 years with JCSSA, 19 years total in education

Service Awards

• 30 Years: Stacey Hudson
• 25 Years: Lacey Bennett, Jane Cook and Brook Hubbard
• 20 Years: Stormi Bailey, Alice Brooks, Brenda Peoples, Tami Swanson and Glenda Woodruff
• 15 Years: Staci Block, Mindy Hodges, Julissa Jones, Dale Leeth, Lori Lummus, Keith McFarland, Kandace Nors, Amanda Ponce, Smita Sahu and Kelly Yarbrough
• 10 Years: Shaunda Bax, Braukel Bishop, Ashley Blue, Jason Heath, Bianca Heath, Jeffrey Hughes, Kristen Jenkins, Jennifer Miller, Dora Norvaiz Molina, Gina Morrissey, Rosalio Diaz Lopez, Michelle Sveum and Melissa Zolorozano
• 5 Years: Devanie Bailey, Tatem Barone, Rebekah Bowling, Rebecca Burke Dooley, Marisela Cardona, Rhonda Cardona, Jennifer Christopher, Shaina Clayton, Cathy Clovis, Megan Cogburn, Tiffany Crawford, Stephanie K. Davis, Rosalio Diaz Jr., Velora Escalante, LeeAnn Fisher, Sandi Foster, Brittany Garcia, Michelle Gonzales, Venus Govea, Cameron Hall, Ashley Johnson, Katie Jokel, John LoVerde, Lawrence Matherne, David Montelongo, Hannah Moore, Ashley Moore, Kimberly Northup, Carey Penney, Amy Quinn, Palmira Rascon, Melissa Rawlins, Chanel Rawls, Brittany Smith, Daina Smith, Melissa Tallent, Lindsey Underwood, Nicole Venegas, Erik Walla, William Weatherly, Misty Welch, Tiffany Williams and Mandy Wood.

The celebration also featured door prizes, gift cards and giveaways donated by local businesses and community partners, including a trip to Tulum, Mexico donated by Jennifer Herren State Farm.