Somerset High School Selected as Finalist for National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Founder’s Award, $10,000 Cash Prize
February 4, 2025
School one of five nationwide recognized for outstanding efforts to foster educator excellence and advance student success, contending for a $50,000 grand prize
Somerset, TX (February 4, 2025) - The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) announced today that Somerset High School in Somerset Independent School District, Texas, won $10,000 for its selection as a finalist for the NIET Founder’s Award. The prestigious Founder’s Award was created by Lowell Milken in 2008 to honor one school in the United States each year for exceptional implementation of NIET’s principles to build educator excellence and advance student success. Somerset High School is among five schools nationwide under consideration for the $50,000 grand prize, which will be announced at NIET’s national conference on February 27.
“The achievements at Somerset High School demonstrate how a blueprint for educator effectiveness, the leadership to support it, and a strong alignment to shared goals can both generate a pipeline of talented educators and prepare students successfully for learning and life,” said NIET Founder Lowell Milken. “Congratulations to Principal Cynthia Gamez, Superintendent Dr. Jose Moreno, and school staff on their long-standing commitment and the indelible impact they have made on educators, students, and the community.”
Founder’s Award finalists are selected by NIET based on several factors, including improving classroom instruction and student academic growth; creating high-quality professional learning and coaching systems focused on the real-time needs of teachers and students; and engaging teacher leaders and school leaders in building a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
NIET’s partner schools have improved outcomes for educators and students. Somerset High School has partnered with NIET to create systems of support for instructional excellence and student success. Over the past three years, the percentage of students at Somerset High School passing the STAAR assessments increased by 16 percentage points, compared to an 8-point increase statewide. By 2023, Somerset High surpassed state performance, reflecting the school’s commitment to improving instructional practices and supporting student growth. For the Class of 2023, 95% of Somerset High School graduates were college-, career-, or military-ready, making the campus among the most successful in Texas in meeting this student success measure.
"Somerset High School has become a model of what innovative leadership can accomplish,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “By leveraging teacher leaders to drive instructional improvements, they have raised student achievement and ensured that students graduate prepared for the next step of their college, career, or military path."
What Makes Somerset High School Unique?
Somerset High School is a ninth to 12th grade campus located southwest of San Antonio in Somerset, Texas. Of the school’s approximately 1,100 students, about 90% are Hispanic and 80% are economically disadvantaged. Through its partnership with NIET, Somerset High has seen increases in teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Principal Cynthia Gamez and her leadership team have emphasized building the instructional capacity of teachers while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
“After being in education for 21 years, the word ‘support’ took on a different meaning for me after working with NIET,” said Gamez. “It has been a game changer to see a campus shift, not just culturally, but also in the data. Our data is the ultimate evidence that our structures are working.”
Following the district-wide implementation of the TAP System for Teacher and Student Advancement, Somerset High established weekly professional learning meetings facilitated by teacher leaders, shared leadership through an instructional leadership team, and ongoing classroom coaching and support for teachers. Their efforts have ensured that all students receive access to high-quality learning opportunities aimed at preparing them for success beyond graduation.
Master and mentor teachers at Somerset High provide the customized coaching and feedback teachers need to reach all students. Not only do these teacher leadership positions strengthen classroom teaching, but they have also allowed the school to create a pipeline of instructionally-focused leaders. Somerset High builds the instructional capacity of all educators in the building, meaning there is always someone to help a teacher grow – whether they are a veteran teacher or new to the profession.
“NIET structures emphasize how you can grow the people around you. We are very strategic about how we continue to grow our mentor teachers,” said Gamez. “We ensure they are part of developing cluster meetings and that they have time to go into classrooms and collaborate on feedback. It is our responsibility to grow their capacity so they become the leaders of tomorrow.”
As a rural high school, Somerset is committed to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success in college, careers, and life. This commitment is demonstrated in the wide variety of educational experiences offered to students. Not only is the school home to an award-winning mariachi band, but it also offers numerous career and technical education (CTE) programs. Students can earn college credits in Somerset High’s CTE classes which include an EMT Academy, an Agriculture Mechanics class, and a Culinary Arts program among others. Regardless of their next steps after high school, Somerset High graduates are prepared for success.
“We have a culture of success at Somerset High School that is rooted in support and growth,” said Gamez. “When our teachers are supported, we know that will yield success both for our staff and students.”
Somerset High School joins fellow finalists Eastside Elementary School (Warren County Schools, Tennessee); Provencal Elementary/Junior High School (Natchitoches Parish School Board, Louisiana); Shenandoah Elementary School (Shenandoah School Corporation, Indiana); and Waterloo Elementary School (Laurens County School District 55, South Carolina) in contention for the $50,000 Founder’s Award grand prize.
For images of Somerset High School and more information about the NIET Founder’s Award, visit the NIET newsroom. For interviews and more on the Founder's Award announcement, please contact Laura Blank (laura@keylightcommunications.com) or Katie Elliott (katie@keylightcommunications.com). Follow conference news – including the Founder's Award – on social media using @NIETteach or #NIET2025.
About NIET
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S.
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact.