The Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts is proud to recognize Zainab Jabak as the 2026 High School Teacher of the Year. This award honors outstanding secondary educators whose instructional excellence, leadership, and advocacy create transformative learning experiences for students and extend far beyond the walls of their classrooms. Zainab exemplifies this distinction through her commitment to equity, literacy, and elevating student voice.

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As a ninth and tenth grade English teacher at Alief Taylor High School in Alief ISD, Zainab creates inclusive, student-centered classrooms where all learners feel seen, heard, and empowered. Bilingual and biliterate in Arabic and English, she brings deep multicultural understanding to her teaching and intentionally designs instruction that supports emergent bilinguals, advanced learners, and students across Pre-AP and on-level courses. Her innovative, research-based practices foster critical thinking, academic confidence, and a genuine love of reading and writing, both in traditional and virtual learning environments.

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Zainab’s impact extends well beyond her classroom. She is a tireless literacy advocate, serving as the school sponsor for the Project LIT Community chapter, a Donors Choose Teacher Ambassador, and a First Book Teacher Champion, all in service of expanding students’ access to diverse, meaningful texts. She has created extraordinary opportunities for students by hosting teen book festivals on campus, facilitating author panels, and partnering with leaders such as Texas Poet Laureate Lupe Mendez to connect reading, writing, and lived experience in powerful ways. Through her work with TAFE, she has mentored aspiring educators, many of whom are now pursuing careers in education and educational leadership.

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A respected leader within the profession, Zainab formerly served on the TCTELA Board as High School Section Chair and actively contributes to NCTE, ALAN, and other professional organizations. She shares her expertise widely through conference presentations, publications, and professional learning, modeling the belief that effective teaching is meant to be shared. Her excellence has been recognized through numerous honors, including Texas TIA Exemplary designation and the Abydos International Learning Conference “Promising Young Educator” Award.

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Zainab Jabak is a passionate educator, advocate, and leader whose influence continues to ripple through classrooms, communities, and the profession at large. TCTELA is honored to celebrate her extraordinary contributions with the High School Teacher of the Year Award.