Excitement filled the air as underfunded and overworked educators arrived at an elegantly adorned Lamar University Student Setzer Center ballroom May 13, clad in formal attire and smiles from ear-to-ear, where friends, family and colleagues gathered for a gala celebration fit for the kings and queens of Southeast Texas classrooms. Words of praise and encouragement opened and closed the evening of honors, bookending a savory filet mignon dinner and awards ceremony bestowing esteem and a crystal obelisk. But, by far, the most commented on presentation to the 15 educators of honor at the 2025 Beaumont Foundation of America “Reaud Excellence in Education Awards” was the $10,000 checks each teacher received – just because.
Wayne A. Reaud, a Beaumont attorney and noted generous philanthropist, began honoring Southeast Texas educators with great pomp – and great funding – in 2009, and has been hosting and awarding cash to an average of 15 impressive educators every year since for the revered Excellence in Education Awards. As a Fellow of the International Society of Barristers and Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Association, as well as founder of the Reaud, Morgan and Quinn Law Firm, Reaud has been no stranger to honorifics; still, the man listed among the Best Lawyers in America credits the men and women who educated him as those truly deserving praise.
“Education is the key to a better future and great teachers are the key to education,” Reaud affirms year after year.
For the 2025 gala, Wayne Reaud’s son, Privateer Capital Management LP founder and Beaumont Foundation Chairman Reagan Reaud, led the celebration. Citing William Butler Yeats’s 1919 poem, “The Second Coming,” Reagan Reaud repeated the stanza of prominent thought at the time: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.” The quote is a hard reflection of the idea that leaders and thinkers have lost their sense of purpose and conviction, while “the worst” are driven by destructive intensity. Yeat’s poem proves a fallacy in the face of the educators assembled for the May gala, Reaud affirmed.
“Passionate intensity,” possessed by the awardees, Reaud said, “proves the best can, and do, possess conviction.”
“Because of you,” Reaud said to the honorees, those entrusted with educating the world’s future leaders, “I’m confident the center will hold.”
Echoing affirmations that great educators enhance greatness in others, Diocese of Beaumont Bishop David Toups took to the gala podium to not only thank the dedication of the honorees, but also acknowledge another great educator of our time – “Miss Guidry.”
“We all have a favorite teacher,” Toups said of Guidry, the elementary educator who saved him after “the low point of my entire academic career” – second grade. “Thank you, Jesus, for that woman.”
Toups touched on the unseen, and frankly underappreciated, work of educators, who spend their evenings making treat bags with the things they spent their own money to provide, who love students as though they were their own children, who teach students about personal hygiene in addition to reading and writing, who bandage scraped knees, who give students confidence in their own beings, who spend their weekends on UIL trips and cheer at sporting events sometimes even louder than parents, who do so much more and can never be thanked enough.
“Tonight is about gratitude,” Toups said of the honorees “essential to the life of our community, our nation, and our world.”
All the honorees, Toups explained, shared similar qualities; the same attributes can be noted in all great educators, he added. The best teachers, according to Toups: never stop learning, never stop believing in students, have not forgotten what being a kid is like, empathize with student struggles, don’t let lesson plans get stale, stay hopeful, “and never lose their sense of humor.”
At the end of the school year, there is much to do, Toups agreed, but urged educators not to become discouraged by students like he was in the second grade – Miss Guidry may be surprised by the Bishop in his current state; so, remember: “We plant seeds that we may never get to see grow to fruition.”
To all the honored educators, farmers of the future, gala guests expressed gratitude in the seeds of success sowed at the hands of those in attendance. Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Pastor John Adolph, event emcee, kept the program rolling and assured the crowd heard of the honorees’ background and service; Christian Fellowship Pastor Rick White offered words of prayer for the honorees and those gathered to celebrate their success; Beaumont Foundation President and CEO Ed Keller laid the foundation for speakers and the awarded educators that deserve esteem “by any measure;” First Sixth Street Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Kalan Gardner Sr. praised the honorees, as well as special guest honoree Michael “Shane” Sinegal, Jefferson County Pct. 3 Commissioner and veteran educator.
“My family, and this group of people,” sparks in him unparalleled happiness, Beaumont Foundation Chairman Emeritus Wayne Reaud shared in closing. As expressed from tears of elation, hugs of congratulations, giddy laughs and words of thanks, educators in the room shared in the happiness, too.
“I’ve never held $10,000 in my hand,” 2024 honoree Delcie Thomas of Beaumont Early College High School told the crowd. “I kept thinking someone was going to call me and tell me there has been a mistake.”
A year later, Thomas knows the gift was not a mistake – but a much-appreciated gift of thanks she is happy to see lauded on the 2025 honorees. Thomas fought back tears as she thanked Reaud, the Beaumont Foundation of America, and all those responsible for providing such a premier event that recognizes, supports and shows real appreciation for the persons behind the profession of teaching.
“We love what we do,” Thomas said, “but you acknowledge it. You healed my doubts, my heart – and my finances.
“Please understand how grateful I am to be a recipient of this award.”
James Rodriguez
Fletcher Elementary School, Beaumont ISD
17 years teaching experience; Pk-5th Grade Physical Education; Mentor Teacher
A parent stated: “My son was shy and hesitant to participate in sports. Coach Rodriguez built his confidence, encouraged him and even attended his football games to support him.”
Brandi Martin
Groves Intermediate, Port Neches-Groves ISD
10 years teaching experience; 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade Dyslexia Interventionist; Mentor Teacher
A former student shared: “Mrs. Martin changed my view of reading. Before I met her, I never believed I could enjoy a book!”
Laurie Beard
Pine Forest Elementary School, Vidor ISD
40 years teaching experience; 3rd and 4th Grade English/ Language Arts and Social Studies; 4th Grade Team Leader; English/Language Arts Lead Teacher
A past student shared: “Mrs. Beard didn’t just teach us lessons, she taught us to be compassionate, thoughtful people. I will never forget how she helped us befriend Eula, a child with cerebral palsy, and guided us through grief when she passed away. The lessons she taught us extended far beyond the classroom.”
Melinda Lowe
Silsbee Elementary School, Silsbee ISD
15 years teaching experience; 4th Grade Science, Social Studies 4th Grade Team Leader; Mentor Teacher
A fellow teacher shared: “Melinda doesn’t just lead, she lifts others up. She has mentored so many teachers, including myself, providing resources, support and encouragement. Her leadership has shaped our entire fourth-grade team.”
Denise Robinson
Buna Elementary School, Buna ISD
19 years teaching experience; Kindergarten Grade Level Team Leader
A fellow educator shared: “Denise is the teacher every child deserves. She builds confidence in young learners, making them feel safe and valued. She is also a mentor to teachers, always available to share ideas and resources.”
Ronald Motton
Pietzsch-MacArthur Pre-K-8th Grade Center, Beaumont ISD
37 years teaching experience; 6th - 8th Grade Campus Restorative Discipline; Physical Education Department Head; Campus Athletic Coordinator; Principal Internship
An 8th-grade student said, “Coach Motton believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves. He makes us feel like we matter.”
Shelly Hudson Friesz
C.O. Wilson Middle School, Nederland ISD
27 years teaching experience; 8th Grade U.S. History; Social Studies Department Chair; 8th Grade Social Studies Team Leader; Mentor Teacher
A parent shared: “My daughter had Mrs. Friesz in both 5th and 8th grade. Even years later, she still talks about how much she learned and enjoyed her class.”
Nancy Ryall Edwards
Hardin-Jefferson Junior High School, Hardin-Jefferson ISD
13 years teaching experience; 7th Grade Mathematics Lead; Special Education Teacher
A former student shared: “Mrs. Edwards always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. She gave up weekends to help me succeed. I wouldn’t be in college today without her.”
Cassandra Colbert Ceasar
Hardin-Jefferson Junior High School, Hardin-Jefferson ISD
13 years teaching experience; 7th & 8th Grade English Language Arts & Reading; Mentor Teacher
One student shared: “Mrs. Ceasar never gives up on us. She pushes us, encourages us, and makes learning fun. Her class is a safe space where we feel heard.”
Lara Williams
Woodville Middle School, Woodville ISD
6 years teaching experience; 7th Grade Science 7th Grade Department Chair; Athletic Coordinator
A fellow teacher shared: “Lara is the backbone of our school. Whether it’s planning curriculum or mentoring new teachers, she steps up every time. She makes our campus stronger.”
Melissa Chapman
Beaumont Early College High School, Beaumont ISD
28 years teaching experience; 9th Grade Path College Career; 504, Dyslexia, & MTSS Campus Coordinator
A student reflected: “Ms. Chapman pushes us to believe in ourselves. She never gives up on us – even when we want to give up on ourselves.”
Jennifer Gonzales
Port Arthur Memorial High School, Port Arthur ISD
9 years teaching experience; 10th-12th grades English I, II, II Honors; Credit Recovery, Book Fair, & UIL Campus Coordinator
A parent said: “My daughter never liked English, but Ms. Gonzales found books that sparked her interest, even buying graphic novels just for her.”
Terry Morris
Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School, LCM ISD
16 years teaching experience; 9th - 12th Computer Science I, II, III, & IV; UIL Mathematics; Foreign Language Department Head; Mentor Teacher
A colleague added: “Terry doesn’t just teach – he inspires. His dedication uplifts students and staff alike.”
Deborah Sims
Lumberton High School, Lumberton ISD
16 years teaching experience; 10th Grade English II Regular & Advanced; 12th Grade AP Literature & Composition; English Department Head; Mentor Teacher
A former student shared: “Mrs. Sims changed my perspective on learning. She pushed me to do my best, and now I feel confident tackling college-level work.”
Daniel Odom
Newton High school, Newton ISD
17 years teaching experience; 10-12th Agriculture Mechanics, Agriculture Structures; Dual Credit Agriculture Equipment Design & Fabrication; Practicum in Agriculture, and Food & Natural Resources; Agriculture Department Head
A former student, now an Agricultural Science teacher, shared: “Mr. Odom saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself. He encouraged me to step up, take on leadership roles, and pursue teaching. I owe my career to him.”